The conflict in the Middle East is experiencing an escalation of tension this Sunday, prior to the negotiations that will take place this Tuesday between diplomatic delegations from the United States and Iran in Islamabad (Pakistan) to try to bring a peace agreement closer to the war that began on February 28. The President of the United States, Donald Trump, reported this Sunday the interception of an Iranian ship that was trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
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The United States is tightening control over Iranian ports, which it has maintained since late last week, to prevent the Islamic regime, which holds one of the largest oil and gas reserves on the planet, from continuing to do business with their sale. “Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA, almost 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, tried to circumvent our naval blockade, and things did not go well for them,” he wrote on his social network, Truth. The United States maintains a blockade on Iranian ports while the Tehran regime has blocked passage through the strait.
“The US Navy guided-missile destroyer, the USS SPRUANCE, intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman and gave it a clear warning to stop,” the Republican leader added. “The Iranian crew refused to comply, so our Navy vessel stopped them dead by opening a hole in the engine room. At this moment, US Marines have custody of the vessel.”
Trump also explained that the Touska is subject to Treasury Department sanctions due to “its previous history of illicit activities.” And he emphasized: “We have full custody of the vessel and are inspecting what it is carrying on board!”
The maneuver to prevent the Touska from breaking through the US blockade comes amid a verbal escalation from Washington. The Republican leader announced this Sunday morning that he would send a delegation to Islamabad to resume negotiations, but at the same time threatened to “blow the country to smithereens” if they do not accept his proposed agreement.
“We are offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they accept it because, if not, the United States will destroy each and every power plant, as well as each and every bridge in Iran. NO MORE BEING THE “GOOD GUY”!”, Trump wrote in an escalation of warmongering rhetoric. Many analysts and Democratic politicians have warned that attacking civilian facilities could violate international laws and even be considered a war crime. “They will fall fast, they will fall easily, and if they do not accept the DEAL, it will be an honor for me to do what needs to be done; something that other presidents should have done to Iran over the past 47 years. IT IS TIME TO END IRAN’S KILLING MACHINE!”
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In telephone conversations with some media, the president further escalated the tone of his threats: “We are preparing to hit them harder than any country has ever been hit before because they cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon,” he told Fox News. “If they don’t sign this agreement, the whole country is going to blow up.”
The next 72 hours will be critical to determine the evolution of the conflict in the Middle East. While Trump assures that he is pursuing an agreement, he is intensifying the threats. In addition, new US army forces are heading to the area.
Last Friday, a window of opportunity seemed to open for a moment to reach an agreement after the announcement of the reopening of Hormuz, a strategic route for the global energy sector. But the hope lasted only a few hours, because on Saturday morning Iranian authorities again closed traffic until the United States lifts the blockade on Iranian ports.
“No rule of international law prohibits Iran, the riparian state, from taking the necessary measures to prevent the Strait of Hormuz from being used to launch military aggressions against Iran,” wrote Ismael Baqaei, Iran’s Foreign Minister, on the social network X.
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