The U.S. Navy seized the Iranian-flagged container ship Touska in the Arabian Sea on Sunday, which has been under U.S. Treasury sanctions since 2020 due to its connections to Iran's financial and weapons programs. According to U.S. Central Command, the vessel was attempting to evade a blockade on Iranian ports that was implemented recently. The 960-foot-long ship was warned to stop by a U.S. Navy destroyer before its engine was fired upon and disabled. A team of U.S. Marines is currently searching the ship's cargo, which consists of up to 5,000 containers. Iran's military has condemned the seizure, calling it an act of 'armed piracy' and has vowed to protect the crew and their families. The Touska had previously traveled from Zhuhai, China, to Port Klang, Malaysia, before heading towards the Persian Gulf, with its final destination being Bandar Abbas, Iran. The exact nature of the ship's cargo remains unclear, and U.S. intelligence has raised concerns about potential arms shipments from China to Iran amidst ongoing tensions.