U.S. Navy Destroyer Uses Gunfire to Stop Iranian Vessel in Arabian Sea

The United States intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Arabian Sea that was trying to reach an Iranian port.

The operation took place on April 19 during routine maritime security patrols in the region, U.S. Central Command said.

The destroyer USS Spruance stopped the vessel M/V Touska as it was heading toward the port of Bandar Abbas at a speed of 17 knots. U.S. forces issued several warnings, saying the ship was violating navigation rules in a restricted area.

The crew of the cargo vessel ignored U.S. forces’ demands for six hours. After repeated attempts to establish communication and obtain consent to change course, USS Spruance ordered the crew of the Touska to leave the engine room.

U.S. Marines depart amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) by helicopter and transit over the Arabian Sea to board and seize M/V Touska. The Marines rappelled onto the Iranian-flagged vessel, April 19, after guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) disabled Touska’s… pic.twitter.com/mFxI5RzYCS

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 20, 2026

To stop the vessel, the destroyer used its 127 mm Mark 45 naval gun, firing several shots at the engine room and disabling the engine.

Later, Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded and secured the vessel, which is now under U.S. control.

It is worth noting that on April 13, the United States began a full naval blockade of all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports.