WANA (Apr 21) – Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement condemning the U.S. attack on an Iranian commercial vessel and the hostage-taking of its crew and their families, warned of the extremely dangerous consequences of what it described as an illegal and criminal act. The ministry emphasized the urgent need for the immediate release of the Iranian ship, its sailors, crew members, and their families.

 

In the statement issued today (Tuesday, April 21), the ministry addressed the U.S. assault on the Iranian commercial vessel and the detention of its crew and their families. It declared: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns the illegal and brutal action of the terrorist U.S. military in attacking the Iranian commercial ship ‘Touska,’ which occurred on Sunday evening, April 19, 2026, near Iran’s coasts in the Sea of Oman.”

 

The statement added: “This act, accompanied by intimidation of the ship’s sailors, crew, and their families, constitutes piracy and a terrorist action. It not only violates the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, but also represents another clear breach of the ceasefire agreement dated April 8, 2026, and is considered an act of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

 

It further noted that Iran has brought the matter to the attention of the UN Secretary-General, members of the UN Security Council, and the International Maritime Organization, calling for firm condemnation and a serious response from international bodies and responsible governments regarding the U.S. action against international commercial shipping.

 

The statement reiterated: “While warning of the highly dangerous consequences of this illegal and criminal act by the United States, the Islamic Republic of Iran stresses the necessity of the immediate release of the Iranian vessel, its sailors, crew, and their families.”

 

In conclusion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: “Undoubtedly, the Islamic Republic of Iran will use all its capacities to defend its national interests and security and to safeguard the rights and dignity of Iranians. It is clear that full responsibility for any further escalation in the region lies with the United States.”

 

On Sunday night, April 19, the United States reportedly carried out an attack on the container ship Touska and detained its crew.

 

Earlier, Esmaeil Baghaei described the U.S. action as a violation of the ceasefire between Iran and the United States.

 

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also stated in a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov that the continued illegal and provocative actions by the U.S. against Iranian ports and vessels—including the attack on the Touska container ship and the detention of its crew—are incompatible with claims of diplomacy. He added that Iran, while monitoring the other side’s actions, will take appropriate decisions to protect its national interests and security.