Kamal Ghorui
A US naval operation has intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman, with officials focusing on what may be sensitive cargo onboard.Maritime security sources, cited by Reuters said initial assessments indicate the vessel is likely carrying “dual-use” items, materials that can have both civilian and military applications. These may include metals, pipes and electronic components, which US authorities flag as potentially supporting military use.The container ship Touska, linked to the sanctioned Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, was boarded by US forces on Sunday near Iran’s Chabahar port. According to ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic, the vessel last transmitted its position at 1308 GMT.The US military, through United States Central Command, said the ship was stopped after its crew failed to respond to repeated warnings over a six-hour period and was operating in violation of a US-enforced blockade. The Touska has previously transported similar cargo, one of the Reuters source said, though officials have not confirmed the exact contents of the current shipment. Iran condemned the operation, calling it “armed piracy”. Its military said the vessel had been sailing from China and warned of a possible response, though noting constraints due to civilians, including crew members’ families, onboard. China also expressed concern over the interception, urging all sides to avoid escalation and adhere to the ceasefire. Voyage data adds to the scrutiny. Analysis by SynMax shows the ship departed Taicang port in late March, loaded additional containers at Gaolan port, and later stopped near Port Klang in Malaysia before heading toward the Gulf of Oman. Washington sanctioned IRISL in 2019, alleging it was used to transport materials linked to Iran’s weapons programmes. US President Donald Trump said the vessel had a “prior history of illegal activity” and confirmed that U.S. forces were inspecting what was onboard. The development comes after the US Navy expanded its blockade, warning that vessels suspected of carrying contraband—including weapons or related materials—could be intercepted and searched.
