Operation Epic Fury: US seizes sanctioned Iranian tanker

The US Navy has seized an Iranian tanker, marking the first use of force in its blockade. It looks as though neither side is prepared to back down as the end of the ceasefire looms.

By Sam Cranny-Evans, editor of Calibre Defence, published on April 20, 2026.

The US Navy fired upon and seized an Iranian-flagged tanker that violated the US blockade, according to an April 19 press release from the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

“USS Spruance (DDG 111) intercepted M/V Touska as it transited the north Arabian Sea at 17 knots enroute to Bandar Abbas, Iran,” the release states. The incident took place over six hours, during which the crew of the M/V Touska ignored warnings from US vessels.

“Spruance disabled Touska’s propulsion by firing several rounds from the destroyer’s 5-inch MK 45 Gun into Touska’s engine room,” the release states. The MK 45 has a range of around 36 km with standard ammunition, but video released by CENTCOM shows the two ships just a few km apart.

Marines from the US 31st Marine Expeditionary Force then boarded the Touska via helicopter, seizing the ship and its crew.

The Touska is more than a blockade runner, however. It was sanctioned by the US in 2018 for supporting Iran’s illegal activities. Another set of sanctions followed in 2020, and the US can use these rulings to justify its seizure. The vessel’s cargo will now be inspected by US personnel and may remain in US custody.

Iran has threatened retaliation and called the US actions “armed piracy,” as well as labelling the US marines, “terrorists.” The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and Iranian media has suggested the next round of talks, which were scheduled for today, will not go ahead as a result.

Incidents in Lebanon

Map showing Israeli positions in Lebanon as part of Operation Roaring Lion.

Map showing Israeli positions in Lebanon. Credit: IDF.

Beyond the blockade and Operation Epic Fury, humanitarian truce came into effect in Lebanon on April 16. The IDF had launched Operation Eternal Darkness on April 8, which eliminated 250 Hezbollah operatives and commanders in a massive airstrike. This was preceded by broader ground operations with the goal of building a buffer zone up to the Litani River.

The Israeli operation is estimated to have displaced over 1.2 million Lebanese civilians and led to over 2,000 deaths. The IDF believes that at least 1,000 of those deaths are Hezbollah militants.

Operation Roaring Lion: Netenyahu orders expansion of operations in Lebanon

However, the strikes had destroyed critical infrastructure throughout Lebanon. This meant that getting aid to displaced civilians was difficult, and the truce was partly enacted to facilitate that process. The truce was also a core part of Iran’s demands for the ceasefire with the US. It was set out as a ten-day truce, expiring on April 26, but Israel had its own conditions.

Those conditions require Hezbollah to disarm if the truce is to be extended, demands that Hezbollah has refused to meet.

Over the weekend, two Israeli soldiers were killed and 12 wounded by explosive traps in two separate incidents. A Hezbollah operative was also shot and killed after he approached an Israeli unit in a threatening manner. The first incident involved an automatically triggered explosive, the second an IED. As a result, Israel does not necessarily see those incidents as a violation of the truce.

However, the IDF also struck a Hezbollah rocket launcher north of its forward defence line, on the morning of April 20. The launcher was loaded and posed a threat to Israeli communities, the IDF said in a post on X.

Calibre comment: What if the ceasefires fail?

It is questionable whether the US or Israel really wanted the ceasefires that are now set to expire. However, with weekend’s events, and the history behind the war, it is unlikely the ceasefires will lead to peace. From a military perspective, the US and Israel retain the initiative over Iran. For example, they can and likely will conduct airstrikes against critical national infrastructure including Iran’s power plants. If those strikes do occur, it will be very difficult for Iran to defend against them. Equally, the blockade of Iran can be maintained, and it may require severe damage to a US ship to force a change in course.

With all of that in mind, it is worth considering what might bring Iran to the negotiating table in earnest. This question can get right to the heart of ending wars: what if neither side is prepared to give up? And the results can be seen in Ukraine, where Russia has battered the country’s energy infrastructure for four years. Despite losing much of its defence industry and tens of thousands of lives, Ukraine continues to resist. Iran, in theory, could choose a similar route. Especially if China and Russia choose to maintain their financial support for the regime.

The lead image shows the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducting blockade operations in the Arabian Sea, April 16. The ship’s embarked carrier air wing includes eight F-35C stealth fighters, F/A-18 fighter jets, EA-18G electronic attack aircraft, E-2D command and control planes, MH-60 helicopters and CMV-22B Ospreys for logistics support. Credit: US Navy photo.