US Marines Seize Iranian Ship in Daring Rappel Operation
US forces carried out a high-risk boarding of an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Arabian Sea. Video released after the action shows Marines rappelling from helicopters onto the ship.
Operation details
The boarding occurred on April 19. Marines launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7).
Troops flew over the Arabian Sea and rappelled onto M/V Touska. The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) disabled the vessel’s propulsion first.
Warnings and engagement
US Central Command said the ship ignored repeated warnings over six hours. CENTCOM added forces fired on the vessel as it sailed toward Bandar Abbas port.
After propulsion was disabled, Marines boarded and seized control of the ship. Footage captures the moment troops descended during the operation.
Statements from Washington
President Donald Trump said American forces took custody of the vessel. He posted on Truth Social that TOUSKA tried to pass a US naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said the ship ignored warnings and was stopped by US Marines. He also claimed the vessel faced US Treasury sanctions for prior illegal activity.
Alternative account from Iran
The semi-official Mehr news agency disputed the US version. Mehr said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval unit prevented the attack and forced US forces to step back.
Iran’s account called the US claim of custody false and emphasized an IRGC response. The two sides offer conflicting narratives about the encounter.
Regional context
The United States has imposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports. Iran briefly lifted and later reimposed its own restrictions on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait typically carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. Tensions rose after peace talks in Islamabad collapsed, leading to the US blockade order.
Video and public record
Hours after the boarding, footage emerged showing Marines rappelling onto the deck. The clip became a central piece of evidence cited by US officials.
Filmogaz.com reported the operation and the surrounding claims on April 20, 2026. The story was filed by Akshat Trivedi.
