Pentagon releases footage of US Navy firing on Iranian ship during 6-hour standoff

WASHINGTON, DC: The Pentagon has released footage showing US Navy forces opening fire on an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel that allegedly ignored repeated warnings during a six-hour standoff on Sunday, April 19. The ship, identified as M/V Touska, was later boarded by US Marines and remains in American custody.

The video captures the escalation at sea, with US forces issuing multiple warnings before firing at the vessel’s engine room to disable it. The incident has further heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with Iran condemning the move and warning of retaliation.

Pentagon footage shows strike

The footage shared by US Central Command shows the US Navy destroyer USS Spruance (DDG-111) repeatedly warning the vessel before taking action. “Motor vessel TOUSKA! Motor vessel TOUSKA! Vacate your engine room, vacate your engine room. We're prepared to subject you to DISABLING FIRE.”

According to CENTCOM, the vessel failed to comply with repeated instructions over a six-hour period while transiting the Arabian Sea toward Iran.

“U.S. forces operating in the Arabian Sea enforced naval blockade measures against an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, April 19,” the command said in a statement.

The footage shows the Navy firing multiple rounds from a 5-inch MK 45 gun into the ship’s engine room, disabling its propulsion before Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded the vessel.

“Spruance disabled Touska’s propulsion by firing several rounds from the destroyer’s 5-inch MK 45 Gun into Touska’s engine room,” the command said, adding that the vessel “remains in U.S. custody.”

Officials said the action followed repeated warnings and described the response as measured. “American forces acted in a deliberate, professional, and proportional manner to ensure compliance,” CENTCOM added.

Trump confirms action

President Donald Trump also addressed the incident, stating that the vessel had ignored warnings and was stopped by force.

“Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA, nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, tried to get past our naval blockade, and it did not go well for them,” he said.

“The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room. Right now, U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel,” he added.

Iran condemns move

Iran criticized the incident, calling it a violation of international norms and warning of a response. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described US actions as evidence of Washington’s “ill will” in diplomacy.

“The threats to Iranian ports, coasts, and vessels, threatening rhetoric, unreasonable demands, and constant contradictions are clear signs of America's ill will,” Araghchi said.

Iran’s military also warned of retaliation, calling the interception “armed piracy” and signaling that it would respond to the US action.