Peace Talks Under Threat After US Seizes Iranian Cargo Ship
The US Navy seizes Iranian cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman, triggering sharp tensions with Iran and raising fears of further military escalation
April 20, 2026 – A US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS SPRUANCE has seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman after it tried to bypass a naval blockade while travelling from China to Iran. US forces reportedly fired on the vessel and boarded it, escalating tensions sharply.
Iran has called this “maritime piracy” and a ceasefire violation and is threatening retaliation. This is currently the biggest flashpoint since the ceasefire declared on April 8 and could trigger further military action.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) released a statement on Sunday (April 19) saying, “After Touska’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings over a six-hour period, Spruance directed the vessel to evacuate its engine room,” Touska’s propulsion was disabled by firing several rounds into the engine room by the US marines.
US President Donald Trump later posted on Truth Social “The Touska is under US Treasury sanctions because of its prior history of illegal activity. We have full custody of the ship and are seeing what’s on board.”
Iran has strongly condemned the act and lashed out at the US warning that its Armed Forces will soon respond to this. Soon after, the country’s State TV and Tasnim News agency reported that Iran has launched drone attacks on American warships.
The incident caused oil prices to rise in early trading on Sunday. The price of US crude oil increased 6.4% to $87.88 per barrel after trading resumed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The price of Brent crude, the international standard, climbed 6.5% to $96.25 per barrel.
The conflict is in its 8th week and already involves the US, Iran, Israel and regional groups. Fighting, strikes and proxy conflicts are continuing across the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the continued friction between the two countries despite the ceasefire has cast a shadow over the negotiations scheduled between the US and Iran on Monday (April 20) in Islamabad with some reports saying Iran may not attend the meeting. According to the Iranian State media, Tehran has rejected the new peace talks because of the US’ “shifting positions” and “excessive demands.”
There is no official statement from the Islamic Republic on this.
However, reports say that a US delegates team has already been ordered by Trump to travel to Pakistan to attend the talks.
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