Day 52 in Hormuz: A Starboard Maritime Intelligence Update
Iran and the US both announced the Strait was open. Oil prices dropped. Vessels rushed for the crossing.
Iran reversed course, broadcasting on VHF: "Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz completely closed again. No vessel of any type or nationality is allowed to pass."
IRGC gunboats fired on at least two merchant vessels between Qeshm and Larak islands. Both turned back. UKMTO confirmed the incidents.
USS Spruance (DDG-111) intercepted the Iranian-flagged container ship MV Touska (IMO: 9328900), inbound from China to Bandar Abbas.
6 hours of warnings followed by targeted fire to disable propulsion, and only after they warned the vessel to clear the crew from the engine room, disabling propulsion.
Marines from the 31st MEU boarded and seized the vessel. First kinetic enforcement of the US blockade.
In the same period, Iran's navy forced the supertanker MT Sanmar Herald—laden with Iraqi crude—to turn back into the Gulf.
The French-flagged CMA CGM Everglade was also struck and damaged.
Iran has called the Touska seizure a ceasefire violation and vowed retaliation. The ceasefire expires Wednesday 22 April.
Iran has rejected a second round of talks in Islamabad.
Traffic through the Strait is at a virtual standstill. The only vessels transiting are sanctioned, dark, or high-risk.
Mainstream commercial shipping is not moving.
Day 52.
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