The United States Central Command - CENTCOM - released footage last night (Monday) of the attack and seizure of an Iranian cargo ship that attempted to cross the Strait of Hormuz, despite the American blockade that was imposed.
The CENTCOM statement reads: "U.S. forces operating in the Arabian Sea enforced a naval blockade on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that attempted to sail toward an Iranian port on April 19. The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the M/V Tusca en route to Bandar Abbas, Iran.".
It was also claimed that American forces informed the ship that it was violating the blockade and sent warnings for six hours, but after the Iranian ship's crew did not respond, the destroyer attacked the engine room and disabled the propulsion system.
The documentation of the ship's takeover published by the US Central Command indicates that the Marines took off in helicopters from the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli. The forces flew over the Arabian Sea and approached the Iranian ship M/V Tosca.
The fighters later climbed onto the deck of the ship using ropes and took control of it.
President Trump announced last night that the United States had seized an Iranian cargo ship that was trying to circumvent maritime restrictions in the region. He said it was an extremely large vessel, "nearly as heavy as an aircraft carrier." He made it clear that "it didn't end well for them" after a "hole was caused in the engine room.".
In response to the incident, the headquarters of Hatem al-Anbiya, Iran's emergency command, claimed that "the United States violated the ceasefire when it opened fire on the ship.".
It was also stated: "Iran will respond and take revenge for the 'maritime robbery' committed by the American military.".
In addition, the Iranians claim that after the American attack, Iranian forces attacked several American military ships using drones.
