Iran Demands Immediate Release Of US-Seized Commercial Vessel Touska, Calls Move Unlawful

Iran has urged the United Nations to press the United States to immediately and unconditionally release the Iranian commercial vessel Touska, along with its crew and their families, after the ship was reportedly seized by US forces in the Sea of Oman.

Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Iravani, raised the demand in a letter sent Tuesday to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the president of the Security Council, according to Iranian state broadcaster Press TV and a statement posted by Iran’s mission to the UN on X.

In the letter, Iravani said US forces captured Touska near Iran’s coast on 19 April, calling it a hostile and unlawful act. He said the operation involved coercion, intimidation and reckless endangerment of the crew and their families.

The ambassador said the seizure of a civilian commercial vessel violated core principles of international law, including the prohibition on aggression.

He also said the intimidation and psychological pressure placed on the crew and their families made the incident even more serious.

U.S. Marines depart amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) by helicopter and transit over the Arabian Sea to board and seize M/V Touska. The Marines rappelled onto the Iranian-flagged vessel, April 19, after guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) disabled Touska’s… pic.twitter.com/mFxI5RzYCS

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 20, 2026

Iravani described the seizure as maritime piracy and warned it posed a threat to the safety and security of vital shipping routes.

He said the incident carried the characteristics of aggression under a relevant UN General Assembly resolution.

He further argued the action breached the ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump on 7 April and posed a serious threat to regional and international peace and security.

Iran urged the UN to condemn the incident, hold those responsible accountable and press Washington to release the vessel and everyone on board.

U.S. forces operating in the Arabian Sea enforced naval blockade measures against an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, April 19.

Guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) intercepted M/V Touska as it transited the north Arabian Sea at… https://t.co/iyzOQd93C3 pic.twitter.com/HwU4XS48Oq

— DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) April 19, 2026

In its post on X, Iran’s UN mission said the seizure amounted to an act of aggression marked by the hallmarks of piracy and said it directly endangered international navigation and maritime safety.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the incident, describing it as an act of terrorism.

Any disruption affecting commercial vessels in the area is closely watched by shipowners, charterers and marine insurers due to the risks it can pose to global shipping and energy flows.

There was no immediate response from the United States to Iran’s appeal at the time of writing.

References: Business Standard, PressTV