US forces seize Iranian vessel in Gulf operation, CENTCOM releases footage

CENTCOM says US Marines boarded ship during the operation and brought it under American control

WASHINGTON: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-April 20th, 2026) The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has released video footage of an operation in which US forces reportedly intercepted and took control of an Iranian-flagged vessel in the Gulf region.

The CENTCOM said that US Marines boarded the ship during the operation and brought it under American control. The vessel is currently in US custody, while further inspection is underway.

Maritime tracking data identified the ship as MV Tosca, a container vessel registered in Iran. Reports suggest the ship was moving at a very low speed of around 1.2 knots prior to the incident.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said in a statement on social media that American forces had intercepted a vessel allegedly attempting to violate a blockade. He claimed the ship was stopped during an operation in the Strait of Hormuz area.

He further stated that the vessel, reportedly about 900 feet long, was intercepted by a US Navy guided-missile destroyer in the Gulf of Oman. According to his statement, warnings were issued to stop the ship, but the crew did not comply, after which the vessel was brought to a halt.

Trump added that the vessel is now under the control of US Marines and is being inspected by authorities.