Iran calls for immediate release of cargo ship seized by US

Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the seizure of Iranian cargo ship Touska by US forces and called for the “immediate release of the Iranian vessel, its sailors, crew and their families” in a statement published Tuesday.

The US Navy fired on and seized the Iranian-flagged ship Sunday after it tried to get past the US naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman, according to President Donald Trump. Footage released by the military showed a guided-missile destroyer firing on the vessel and Marines rappelling from helicopters onto its deck.

Iran previously vowed to retaliate for the seizure of the ship, which the Foreign Ministry called “extremely dangerous” and “criminal” in its Tuesday statement. It said the cargo was worth “millions,” without specifying what the cargo was.

“There is no doubt that the Islamic Republic of Iran will use all its capacities to defend Iran’s national interests and security and to safeguard the rights and dignity of its citizens,” the statement said.

“It is also clear that full responsibility for any further escalation in the region lies with the United States.”