The uncertain future of an Iranian cargo ship seized by the US

The US seizure of Iran's Touska ship has escalated tensions, threatened negotiation processes, and left the fate of the vessel and its crew uncertain.

The us military seized an Iranian container ship near the Persian Gulf early on april 20. US Central Command (CENTCOM) and President Donald Trump stated that Iran's Touska was seized for refusing us orders to cancel its route through the Strait of Hormuz. Washington had imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in the region since early last week.

Touska sailing in july 2021. Photo: *Marine Traffic*

This marks the first Iranian civilian vessel attacked by us forces in the ongoing conflict. It is also the first Iranian transport ship seized by the us military since Washington imposed a blockade on vessels entering and exiting Iranian ports.

Iran's military stated the ship was traveling from China and labeled the seizure as "piracy", a "violation of international law", and a "breach of the ceasefire". They demanded the immediate release of the ship and its crew.

"Iran does not trust Washington. The US is showing it is not serious about pursuing a diplomatic path", said Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry.

Iran declared its readiness to confront us forces over this "blatant aggression" but stated it was forced to exercise restraint due to the presence of crew members' families on board. On 20/4, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced they had launched unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at a us military ship in the Arabian Sea, though the scale of the attack and whether it caused damage remains unclear.

Destroyer USS Spruance fires shells at the Touska at sea on 19/4. Video: *CENTCOM*

Iranian Parliament Chairman Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf affirmed that the country would not accept negotiations with the US while under threat. "By imposing a blockade and violating the ceasefire agreement, Trump wants to turn the negotiation table into a surrender table, or find an excuse to continue the war", he wrote on X. "We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats. Over the past two weeks, we have prepared to deploy new cards on the battlefield".

According to maritime tracking site Marine Traffic, the Touska's last port call was Port Klang, Malaysia, on 12/4. Before this, the vessel regularly sailed between Zhuhai city, China, and various Iranian ports. Marine Traffic data indicated that about 6 hours before Trump's announcement, the Touska was approximately 45 km from Chabahar city in southern Iran.

The ship belongs to Tehran-based Mosakhar Darya Shipping Company. Marine Traffic reported the Touska has been under us sanctions since 2018, while its owner, technical, and commercial management companies have faced sanctions since 2012.

Carl Schuster, a us navy retired colonel and analyst, believes the Touska will be taken to an anchorage or port for inspection. "Under the rules of naval warfare, you can seize a ship if it deliberately attempts to breach a blockade", commented Jennifer Parker, a Lowy Institute expert and former Royal Australian Navy officer. "If the US intends to hold the ship long-term, they must establish a prize court to adjudicate and legalize the seizure". Schuster added, "It could be considered 'prize' like any equipment or vehicle seized during armed conflict".

China expressed concern about the Touska's seizure, viewing it as a potential obstacle to a peaceful resolution of the conflict. "We hope all parties fulfill their obligations and adhere to the ceasefire to prevent escalation of tensions and facilitate the re-normalization of the Strait of Hormuz", said Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, on 20/4.

US soldiers board and seize Iranian cargo ship. Video: *CENTCOM*

Regarding the fate of the Touska's crew, Parker suggested it depends on their nationality. "If they are indian or philippine sailors, I believe they will simply be removed from the ship and repatriated", she said. "If they are Iranian citizens, the sailors could be arrested. If there are Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members on board, they might be considered prisoners of war". She added that if the US determines the Touska was carrying weapons or equipment for Iran, the crew would likely be arrested regardless of nationality.

Ian Ralby, a maritime security analyst and president of Auxilium Worldwide, a non-profit organization specializing in maritime governance, law of the sea, and maritime security, also stated that the Touska's crew "could be treated as prisoners of war if the ship is deemed to be carrying contraband or acting as a naval auxiliary vessel". Ralby pointed out that even though the ship flies an Iranian flag, it does not mean the entire crew is Iranian. "In fact, most ships have multinational crews. They could potentially be entirely foreign, with no involvement in the conflict", he noted.