A US Navy destroyer disabled an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, marking a rare use of force in enforcing sanctions against Iran. The USS Spruance intercepted the M/V Touska, which was transiting the Arabian Sea toward Iran, and fired several rounds into its engine room after the crew failed to comply with repeated warnings over a six-hour period.
Standard Procedure, Rare Execution
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the Navy followed standard procedures for intercepting vessels suspected of violating sanctions. This includes escalating from verbal warnings to disabling fire when necessary. Former Navy officers noted that while such escalation is rare, it is authorized when vessels attempt to run the blockade.
'Since in this case the vessel tried to run the blockade altogether, use of force to disable the vessel is an authorized procedure. It's been rare in sanctions enforcement, but it is the expected step,' said Bradley Martin, a former Navy captain and RAND researcher.
Increased Tensions Amid Ceasefire Expiration
The incident comes as the US-Iran ceasefire agreement nears its expiration date, raising concerns about heightened tensions in the region. The M/V Touska, a nearly 900-foot-long vessel, was flagged by US forces as potentially violating the blockade. After multiple warnings went unheeded, the Navy directed the crew to evacuate the engine room before disabling the ship’s propulsion with several rounds from the Spruance’s 5-inch MK 45 gun.
Disabling a vessel’s engine is a standard tactic used in noncompliant boardings to ensure the ship can be safely approached and inspected. Similar procedures are employed by the US Coast Guard when intercepting suspected drug trafficking vessels.
The US Navy’s decisive action underscores its commitment to enforcing sanctions against Iran, even as diplomatic challenges continue to mount in the region.