
FACTBOX: Fatalities in Strait of Hormuz vessel attack, US authority to strike IRGC boats
At least five people died as a result of a United States attack on two cargo vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian news agency Tasnim reported

At least five people died as a result of a United States attack on two cargo vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian news agency Tasnim reported

Brad Cooper added that over the past 24 hours, the command has reached out to dozens of shipowners and shipping companies to assure them of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz

The US Central Command has transferred the crew of the Iranian cargo vessel M/V Touska to Pakistan for repatriation after the ship was seized in the Gulf of Oman for allegedly breaching a naval blockade.

Ukraine has formally requested Israel seize the Panormitis cargo vessel, which is sailing under a Panamanian flag toward Haifa, on suspicion of carrying grain illegally transported from a closed port in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the vessel's cargo constitutes a gross violation of Ukrainian legislation and international maritime law. The request has sparked a diplomatic dispute, with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar criticizing Kyiv for what he called "Twitter diplomacy" before the formal legal petition was submitted.

A cargo vessel has been hijacked six nautical miles northeast of Garacad, Somalia, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center. Unauthorized persons took control of the ship and redirected it to within territorial waters. The incident was reported to the UKMTO, which issued a statement confirming the hijacking off the Somali coast.
Tensions flared in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired on a container ship, causing damage. Another cargo vessel reported being fired upon. These incidents complicate US-Iran diplomatic efforts, despite a US ceasefire extension and Pakistan's mediation. The strategic waterway, crucial for global energy, remains under pressure amid escalating hostilities.

Iranian state media denied sending any delegation to Islamabad for second-round peace talks with the US, as the two-week ceasefire expires Wednesday. Mutual accusations of violations persist, with Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz and the US enforcing a port blockade.
US naval forces intercepted the Iranian-flagged container ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman near Iran's Chabahar port on Sunday. The vessel, linked to sanctioned Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), was boarded after failing to respond to warnings over a six-hour period. Initial assessments indicate the cargo likely includes dual-use items such as metals, pipes and electronic components that could support military applications. Iran condemned the operation as armed piracy, while China expressed concern urging de-escalation.
US Central Command released footage of military helicopter enforcing maritime blockade near Iranian ports, with 27 vessels turned around since operations began. The footage shows a machine gunner warning a cargo vessel it was entering a restricted military zone. Separately, US Marines boarded the Iranian-flagged container vessel Touska in the Gulf of Oman, with Iran accusing the US of maritime piracy and threatening retaliation under a fragile ceasefire in place since February 28.
US forces released video of a helicopter gunner warning a cargo vessel to turn back from a restricted zone near Iranian ports, enforcing a maritime blockade. This action comes amid escalating tensions and disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with both nations imposing restrictions.
US forces released video of a helicopter gunner warning a cargo vessel to turn back from a restricted zone near Iranian ports, enforcing a maritime blockade. This action comes amid escalating tensions and disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with both nations imposing restrictions.

UN Human Rights spokesperson Jeremy Laurence stated that commercial vessels are protected under international humanitarian law and their crews cannot be deliberately targeted, following Ukraine's drone attack on the Volgo-Balt-138 dry cargo vessel in the Azov Sea on April 3. The vessel loaded with wheat sank, resulting in three crew members killed and nine survivors. Kherson Region governor Vladimir Saldo warned the attack would not remain unanswered.

Pakistan is facilitating US-Iran talks in Islamabad amid escalating tensions after the US Navy seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz. The USS Spruance fired on and disabled the vessel, prompting Iran to vow retaliation. With the ceasefire due to expire midweek, Pakistani officials are conducting intensive diplomatic contacts with both Washington and Tehran to keep Tuesday's planned talks on track.
Iran has accused the US of ‘armed maritime piracy’ after a US warship seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel Read Full Article at RT.com

The cargo ship Mariana, a 145-foot U.S.-registered dry cargo vessel, suffered engine failure during a massive typhoon approaching Saipan and nearby islands. After the crew reported losing their starboard engine and requested assistance, the Coast Guard established a communication schedule but lost contact Thursday. An overturned vessel was spotted Saturday and confirmed as the Mariana on Sunday. The Coast Guard continues searching for the six people on board.

U.S. forces seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. And, an online government portal for processing tariff refunds launches today.

Iran announced it will not participate in the second round of US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad after the US Navy seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. Tehran called the boarding an act of piracy and a violation of the fragile ceasefire, with its military command vowing to respond. Brent crude jumped to $95/barrel as the fate of the ceasefire - days before its expiry - and Trump's claim that the war was close to ending are now in serious doubt.

The US Navy seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel, the Touska, near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, marking the first interception since Washington began blockading Iranian ports. Iran condemned the action as piracy and a violation of the fragile ceasefire, vowing to respond. The incident sent oil prices spiraling to $95/barrel, deepening a global energy crisis. US President Trump claimed the destroyer blew a hole in the ship's engine room, while Tehran warned it could maintain economic pressure with the strait still closed. New US-Iran talks in Pakistan face uncertainty.
US Navy destroyer USS Spruance intercepted Iranian-flagged cargo vessel TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday after the ship ignored repeated warnings to stop. The destroyer fired several rounds from its 5-inch MK 45 gun into the vessel's engine room, disabling its propulsion. US Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded and took custody of the ship. Iran responded by launching drones toward US warships and announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing violation of ceasefire conditions by the US naval blockade.
US Navy intercepted the Iranian-flagged cargo ship TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman after it ignored six hours of warnings. The USS Spruance fired its 5-inch MK 45 gun into the vessel's engine room to disable it, then US Marines boarded and took custody. Iran retaliated by launching drones toward US warships and announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until the US naval blockade is lifted.

US forces seized Iranian cargo vessel M/V Touska in the north Arabian Sea after the ship failed to comply with repeated warnings over a six-hour period. Guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance disabled the vessel's propulsion by firing into its engine room, then US Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded and took custody. The vessel was en route to Bandar Abbas, Iran, in violation of the US naval blockade announced April 13.
US guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance fired on Iranian-flagged cargo vessel M/V Touska in the Gulf of Oman after a six-hour standoff, disabling its engine room with 5-inch rounds. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit subsequently boarded and seized the vessel, which CENTCOM said was attempting to breach a US-imposed naval blockade and reach the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas via the Strait of Hormuz.

The Mariana is a 145-foot dry cargo vessel registered in the U.S. It suffered engine failure Wednesday as a massive typhoon bore down on Saipan and nearby islands.