Iran’s military has pledged to respond after a US destroyer reportedly opened fire on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, escalating already heightened tensions in the region.
A spokesperson for the Islamic Republic’s central military command, Khatam Al-Anbiya, said the country’s armed forces would act in retaliation.
“We warn that the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond and retaliate against this armed piracy and the US military,” the spokesperson said, according to ISNA news agency.
The official accused the United States of breaching a ceasefire agreement that had been in place since April 8.
US President Donald Trump, writing on Truth Social, said the Iranian vessel, Touska, ignored warnings to stop before the USS Spruance intervened.
“Right now, U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel,” he said, adding that authorities were inspecting its cargo.
The incident comes amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global route for oil and liquefied natural gas, which has faced disruptions since the ongoing US-Israeli tensions with Iran intensified weeks ago.
Iran briefly reopened the strait before closing it again, citing continued US restrictions on Iranian-linked shipping activity.
Trump has also accused Tehran of violating the ceasefire, which is set to expire on Wednesday, following reported attacks in the shipping corridor.