Vahid Online in English

Automated AI translations of Vahid Online reporting. Exported from the Telegram Channel. Original content also available on X/Twitter.

← Back to latest feed

19 Apr 2026, 21:18

CENTCOM: We warned them to evacuate the engine room, then targeted its propulsion system

CENTCOM statement, machine translation:
Tampa, Florida — U.S. forces operating in the Arabian Sea implemented maritime blockade measures on April 19 against an Iranian-flagged cargo ship attempting to head towards one of Iran's ports.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) intercepted the MV Toska as it was traveling at 17 knots in the northern Arabian Sea, en route to Bandar Abbas, Iran. U.S. forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged ship that it was violating the U.S. blockade.

After the crew of the Toska ignored repeated warnings over a six-hour period, the Spruance ordered the ship to evacuate the engine room. The destroyer then disabled the ship's propulsion system by firing several rounds from its 5-inch MK 45 gun into the engine room of the Toska. Subsequently, U.S. Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded the defiant ship, which remains under U.S. control.

U.S. forces acted in a measured, professional, and proportional manner to ensure compliance with the order. Since the start of this blockade, U.S. forces have compelled 25 commercial vessels to change course or return to one of Iran's ports.
CENTCOM

📡 @VahidOnline

Mapped locations (3)

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors