The propaganda continues between the United States and Iran. After revealing spectacular images in early March of an American submarine launching an attack on an Iranian ship in the Indian Ocean, the US military has now shown footage of the seizure of an Iranian vessel attempting to breach the US-imposed blockade of Iranian ports on the night of April 19-20.
Videos broadcast and shared by BFMTV show helicopters taking off in the night, filmed with night vision goggles, followed by American soldiers disembarking onto the deck of an Iranian ship. “US Marines left the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli via helicopters and flew over the Sea of Oman to board and seize the M/V Touska,” the US military stated. According to the US Army’s Central Command, the cargo ship “refused to comply with US warnings for six hours.”
Another video shared by Reuters shows the US military firing on the Iranian vessel after several warnings, as the propulsion system of the Touska had been previously “neutralized” by the navy. Iran has described this seizure as “armed piracy” and has vowed to retaliate soon, accusing the US of violating the ceasefire.
US officials, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, announced on Saturday that the military is preparing to intercept tankers linked to Iran and to seize commercial vessels in international waters. This decision is part of efforts to increase pressure on Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
[Context: The article discusses recent military actions between the US and Iran, including the seizure of Iranian ships and threats of retaliation.] [Fact Check: The Strait of Hormuz is a key shipping route located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.]
