An Iranian ship was resalted by US soldiers as it attempted to cross the Sea Strait of Hormuz and head for the Gulf of Oman.

Meanwhile, negotiations Washington– Tehran are in the air with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attempting to tone down the talks so that the two sides can sit at the same dialogue table in Islamabad.

In a statement on truth social, US President Donald Trump confirmed not only that the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is in full effect, but also that he implemented his threat to retaliate against Iranian ships attempting to cross.

Specifically, Donald Trump wrote: “Today, an Iranian-flagged carrier ship named TOUSKA, nearly 274 meters long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, attempted to violate our naval blockade, but things did not go well for them.”

“The US Navy destroyer USS SPRUANCE, armed with guided missiles, intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman and gave them a clear warning to stop. The Iranian crew refused to obey, so our Navy ship immediately stopped it, blowing a hole in the engine room,” Donald Trump informed.

“Right now, US Marines are in custody of the vessel. The TOUSKA is subject to US Treasury Department sanctions due to its history of illegal activities. We have full surveillance of the ship and are looking at what is on deck!”, Donald Trump stressed.

Pakistan’s mediating intervention

Meanwhile, negotiations between Iran and the US appear to be sinking. Attempting to maintain his mediation role, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif had a meeting with President of Iran, Massoud Pezheskian, earlier today. “I appreciated Iran’s participation, including its high-level delegation to Islamabad for the historic talks, as well as recent discussions with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in Tehran,” Shehbaz Sharif said in his message. “I also shared my views from my recent contacts with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey,” informed Shehbaz Sharif.

He assured Massoud Peshawar that “with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan remains fully committed to its role as an honest and sincere mediator for lasting peace and regional stability.”

For his part, Iran’s President Massoud Pezhashkian stressed to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that “the continuation of the US naval blockade is a violation of the ceasefire“. “The continuation of the blockade and the US threats reveal the US intention to undermine diplomacy,” Masood Pezheskiyan said.

However, after the incident with the Iranian ship, the situation seems extremely critical. It should be noted that earlier today, Iran announced that it does not intend to sit at the same dialogue table with the US delegation in Islamabad unless an extension of the ceasefire is agreed to expire at dawn on Wednesday (4/22) and the US blockade is broken, ensuring safe and free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

.