The Tasnim News Agency – citing sources – reported the release of six crew members of the Iranian ‘Touska’ cargo ship, which was seized by the US several days ago, according to a breaking news report by AlQahera News Channel.
The US Central Command announced that its naval forces fired on the Iranian cargo ship Touska on Sunday before seizing it at sea.
According to US reports, the ship was attempting to breach the blockade imposed on Iranian ports.
This incident has raised questions about the ship’s fate and its potential impact on the nearly expired ceasefire.
Details of the incident indicate that the ship was sailing in a “sensitive operational area” before being intercepted and forcibly taken control of in what has been described as one of the most serious maritime developments between Washington and Tehran in months.
Conflicting reports
Tehran asserted that the ship was on a routine commercial voyage from China to Iran, carrying commercial goods, and denied the presence of any military or prohibited cargo.
Washington, however, maintains that the vessel was attempting to violate maritime restrictions imposed amidst the ongoing escalation, prompting its forces to intercept it.
US Central Command released a video showing Marines boarding the ship from helicopters.
US President Donald Trump tweeted: “We now have complete control of their ship, and are checking what’s on board!”
