Iran Demands Immediate Release of Cargo Ship Seized by US Forces in Gulf of Oman

Tehran. Iran has demanded the immediate release of an Iranian cargo ship seized by the US military in the Gulf of Oman. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry called for the immediate release of the vessel, its crew members, and their families.

According to US President Donald Trump, the US military intercepted and seized the ship on Sunday after it attempted to breach a US naval blockade. A video released by the US military shows US forces firing at the ship from a guided-missile destroyer, followed by US naval personnel landing on the deck via helicopter.

Iran has strongly condemned the incident, labeling it an "extremely dangerous" and "criminal" act. While the Foreign Ministry claimed the cargo on board was worth "millions of dollars," it did not specify the nature of the goods. Iran has warned that it will "utilize all its capabilities" to protect its national interests, security, and the rights and dignity of its citizens. 

Furthermore, Iran stated that the US must bear full responsibility if tensions in the region escalate further. There is no clear information regarding the number of crew members on board or their nationalities. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has not yet released an official statement on the matter.