‘Blown A Hole’: Trump Says US Navy Destroyer Hit Iranian Ship's Engine Room Near Hormuz

Last Updated:April 20, 2026, 11:00 IST

According to Trump, the US Navy destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the Iranian cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to breach the American blockade

The United States Navy has seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel after “blowing a hole" in its engine room during a naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump said.

According to Trump, the US Navy destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the Iranian cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to breach the American blockade.

The vessel was taken under US control after its engine room was struck, effectively disabling it.

“Right now, US Marines have custody of the vessel," Trump said in a statement. He added that Touska was under US Treasury sanctions due to alleged past illegal activity and that American forces were inspecting the ship’s contents.

CENTCOM Footage Shows Warning Before Strike

Video footage released by the United States Central Command and shared online shows US forces issuing repeated warnings to the crew of the Iranian ship before opening fire.

In the recording, a Marine is heard instructing those onboard to evacuate the engine room, warning that disabling fire would follow if the order was ignored. Moments later, explosions are seen hitting the vessel.

The seizure comes amid US efforts to enforce a blockade near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.

The incident unfolds as Trump seeks to secure a broader peace arrangement with Iran before a two-week ceasefire expires on Tuesday.

The White House has said that Vice President JD Vance will lead upcoming discussions, with special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also involved in diplomatic outreach.

However, Tehran has indicated it will not participate in the next round of talks.

Iran’s state-run IRNA quoted a senior official as saying the decision was driven by what Iran described as Washington’s excessive demands, shifting positions and the ongoing naval blockade, which it views as a violation of the ceasefire.

Trump has insisted that Iran must dismantle its nuclear programme, hand over its enriched uranium stockpile and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.

Strategic Waterway Under Strain

The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil supplies each year, making it a vital artery for the global economy.

Iran has previously been accused of targeting commercial vessels in the waterway and of laying naval mines, some of which it reportedly lost track of.

In response to what Washington describes as repeated threats to maritime security, Trump announced a formal blockade last week on Iranian shipping passing through the chokepoint.

News world ‘Blown A Hole’: Trump Says US Navy Destroyer Hit Iranian Ship's Engine Room Near Hormuz

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