The Iranians are continuing to play games with the United States during the current cease-fire, saying one thing and then doing another. Like they did again today.
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday afternoon that the United States Navy had captured an Iranian-flagged merchant vessel attempting to breach the blockade established at the Strait of Hormuz.
“Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA, nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, tried to get past our Naval Blockade, and it did not go well for them. The U.S. Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman, and gave them fair warning to stop. The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom. Right now, U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel. The TOUSKA is under U.S. Treasury Sanctions because of their prior history of illegal activity. We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what’s on board!”
This is the second time the Spruance has gained publicity during the blockade, as the ship previously conducted one of the first stoppages after the United States began the blockade days ago.
Tensions continue to rise amid the ceasefire between the two nations, which are slated to hold peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday. Iran, meanwhile, appears to be fooling around and is about to find out Trump’s probably not kidding about hitting power plants and bridges later this week if they don’t do a deal.