Iran condemns US seizure of cargo ship in Gulf of Oman

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns the unlawful and violent action of the US ‘terrorist army’ in attacking the Iranian commercial vessel ‘Touska,’ which took place on Sunday,” the ministry said in a statement.

Calling the incident a “form of maritime piracy and a terrorist act,” the statement said it violated international law, as well as a two-week US-Iran ceasefire with the US that began on April 8.

It demanded the release of the Iranian-flagged vessel, as well as its crew and their families.

“Without doubt, the Islamic Republic of Iran will use all its capacities to defend its national interests and security, and to safeguard the rights and dignity of Iranians,” it said, asserting that responsibility for “further escalation” would rest with the US.

Meanwhile, Iran's judiciary chief, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei, said the US actions amount to a "war crime," citing the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports.

"Any action against an Iranian ship will certainly be met with a response," Iran's state-run broadcaster IRIB cited Ejei as saying, adding that the resumption of US-Israeli attacks on Iran is "not low at all."

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Sunday that US naval forces seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman after it reportedly refused to comply with blockade directions.

CENTCOM said Monday that American forces have directed 27 commercial vessels to turn around or return to an Iranian port since the naval blockade of Iranian ports began on April 13.

The developments came as hostilities in the region have escalated since the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on Feb. 28. In response, Tehran retaliated with strikes on Israel and other regional countries hosting US assets.

Pakistan hosted US-Iran talks on April 11-12 after brokering a two-week ceasefire that became effective on April 8 and is set to expire on Wednesday. Efforts for another round of negotiations are underway, though uncertainty remains.