U.S. seizes Iranian ship as tensions escalate in Gulf of Oman

The president said the Navy disabled the ship by damaging its engine room following warnings.

(NBC)- Tensions between the United States and Iran are intensifying after Donald Trump announced the U.S. Navy seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship accused of attempting to evade a military blockade.

According to Trump, the vessel was intercepted in the Gulf of Oman, where U.S. forces fired on the ship, boarded it and took full custody after it failed to stop.

The president said the Navy disabled the ship by damaging its engine room following warnings.

The incident comes as lawmakers continue to debate how to handle the escalating conflict.

“You need to get Iran back to the place that they agreed to… that they would never seek to acquire nuclear weapons,” said Tim Kaine, referencing a previous nuclear agreement.

Iran has responded by imposing its own restrictions, with shipping traffic reportedly slowing to a near standstill. Officials say Iranian forces also opened fire on two Indian-flagged vessels over the weekend.

The U.S. maintains that the Strait of Hormuz is an international passage and not under Iranian control.

“Ultimately, it’s the U.S. Navy… that decide what comes in and what comes out,” said Mike Waltz.

Amid the growing standoff, Trump warned that if a deal is not reached, further action—including targeting infrastructure—remains an option.

“Everything’s on the table,” Waltz added.

Diplomatic efforts continue, with U.S. negotiators planning to travel to Pakistan for potential talks. However, Iranian state media reports the country has not agreed to participate in a second round of negotiations.

Meanwhile, a separate ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon remains in effect, offering a small sign of stability in a region facing mounting uncertainty.