Iran backs down from retaliating over cargo ship seizure ahead of Islamabad talks
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as “savage” actions by the US military in seizing an Iranian vessel on Sunday evening, labeling the move an act of “piracy” and “terrorism,” less than 48 hours before a ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel is set to expire.
The ministry’s statement, issued Tuesday, came after US President Donald Trump threatened to reignite strikes on Iran by targeting its power plants and bridges if Tehran does not accept the deal proposed by Washington.
The US Navy began enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports on April 13 to curb nearly 90 percent of the country’s oil exports, in a bid to increase economic pressure on Tehran. The move came days after Iran, the United States, and Israel agreed to a two-week ceasefire following six weeks of war. Iran said nearly 3,400 people, including military personnel, were killed during the bombing campaign, which targeted more than 15,000 sites.
At least 23 vessels and tankers have complied with the US blockade and returned to Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf. However, on Sunday evening, when the cargo ship Touska failed to comply, the US Navy used disabling force, and marines from the USS Tripoli rappelled onto the vessel, seizing it after a six-hour standoff.
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran’s joint military command, threatened retaliation against the United States but held off, reportedly to protect Iranian sailors and their families aboard the cargo ship.
Iran’s top negotiator and parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused Trump of violating the ceasefire by imposing a blockade on Iranian ports.
“Trump, by imposing a blockade and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table — in his own imagination — into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering,” Ghalibaf posted on X on Tuesday. “We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and over the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield.”
The Foreign Ministry called on the United Nations, the International Maritime Organization, and the international community to condemn the US action and demand the immediate release of the Iranian sailors and crew of the Touska.
A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday that Tehran had no plans for the upcoming negotiations in Islamabad, though media reports suggested Pakistani officials may have encouraged Iran to participate in the second round of talks.
Trump said the US delegation was heading to Islamabad and was expected to arrive on Tuesday, the day the two-week ceasefire expires. However, he appears to have given Iran until Wednesday to make a final decision.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the United States would be responsible for escalating tensions in the region and warned that Iran would use its full capabilities to defend its territory.
The ministry’s statement, issued Tuesday, came after US President Donald Trump threatened to reignite strikes on Iran by targeting its power plants and bridges if Tehran does not accept the deal proposed by Washington.
The US Navy began enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports on April 13 to curb nearly 90 percent of the country’s oil exports, in a bid to increase economic pressure on Tehran. The move came days after Iran, the United States, and Israel agreed to a two-week ceasefire following six weeks of war. Iran said nearly 3,400 people, including military personnel, were killed during the bombing campaign, which targeted more than 15,000 sites.
At least 23 vessels and tankers have complied with the US blockade and returned to Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf. However, on Sunday evening, when the cargo ship Touska failed to comply, the US Navy used disabling force, and marines from the USS Tripoli rappelled onto the vessel, seizing it after a six-hour standoff.
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran’s joint military command, threatened retaliation against the United States but held off, reportedly to protect Iranian sailors and their families aboard the cargo ship.
Iran’s top negotiator and parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused Trump of violating the ceasefire by imposing a blockade on Iranian ports.
“Trump, by imposing a blockade and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table — in his own imagination — into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering,” Ghalibaf posted on X on Tuesday. “We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and over the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield.”
The Foreign Ministry called on the United Nations, the International Maritime Organization, and the international community to condemn the US action and demand the immediate release of the Iranian sailors and crew of the Touska.
A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday that Tehran had no plans for the upcoming negotiations in Islamabad, though media reports suggested Pakistani officials may have encouraged Iran to participate in the second round of talks.
Trump said the US delegation was heading to Islamabad and was expected to arrive on Tuesday, the day the two-week ceasefire expires. However, he appears to have given Iran until Wednesday to make a final decision.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the United States would be responsible for escalating tensions in the region and warned that Iran would use its full capabilities to defend its territory.