US forces have seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to bypass a US naval blockade. President Donald Trump stated that a Navy guided missile destroyer stopped the vessel, which had sailed from Malaysia, by blowing a hole in its engine room. US Marines now have custody of the ship. Meanwhile, shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has come to a near standstill after Iran reversed a decision to reopen the waterway, firing on vessels attempting to pass and warning that the strait will remain blocked as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports continues.
A fragile two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran is set to expire on Wednesday, April 22, with both nations remaining in a standoff. President Trump announced that a US delegation, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and JD Vance, will travel to Islamabad, Pakistan, for a new round of talks. However, Iranian state media reports that Tehran has no current plans to send a delegation, citing the naval blockade and Washington's excessive demands as reasons for rejecting the negotiations. While Iran's top negotiator noted some progress, he emphasized that significant gaps remain regarding nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump has accused Iran of committing a serious violation of the ceasefire and warned that any Iranian ships approaching the blockade would be immediately eliminated. He further threatened to destroy every bridge and power plant in Iran if Tehran does not accept a peace proposal. Despite these warnings, Trump stated that very good conversations have occurred and insisted a deal will happen one way or another. Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf stated that there will be no retreat in diplomacy, though he added that Tehran is fully prepared for the US to resume hostilities at any moment.