US destroyer fires on Iranian-flagged cargo ship (VIDEO)

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has released a video showing one of its warships firing on an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel that was later seized by US Marines.

According to CENTCOM, the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the M/V Touska in the Gulf of Oman as it attempted to breach a US-imposed naval blockade and reach the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas via the Strait of Hormuz.

“After Touska’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings over a six-hour period, Spruance directed the vessel to evacuate its engine room. Spruance disabled Touska’s propulsion by firing several rounds from the destroyer’s 5-inch Mk 45 gun into the engine room,” CENTCOM said, adding that a team from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit later boarded the vessel.

Iranian officials denounced the blockade as illegal under international law, saying it violates the terms of a two-week ceasefire set to expire on Wednesday.

The Iranian military has vowed to retaliate for the seizure of the vessel.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency later reported that the Iranian military had launched a drone at US ships. The US has not confirmed whether any of its vessels came under attack.