The newly released footage from U.S. Central Command captures a tightly coordinated operation that unfolded in the Strait of Hormuz, offering a closer look at how enforcement of the U.S. naval blockade is being carried out in real time.
The 33-second video shows U.S. Marines descending by rope from MH-60S helicopters onto the deck of the Iranian-flagged cargo vessel Touska. The helicopters launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, positioning Marines directly over the target vessel before the boarding began. The sequence is brief but precise, reflecting a controlled insertion rather than a prolonged engagement.
According to CENTCOM, the boarding came after a six-hour standoff. During that time, the USS Spruance, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, issued repeated warnings to the Touska. When the vessel failed to comply, the situation escalated. The Spruance ordered the crew to evacuate the engine room before firing multiple rounds from its five-inch MK 45 gun, effectively disabling the ship’s propulsion.
With the vessel no longer able to maneuver, Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit moved in to secure it. The Touska is now in U.S. custody.
The operation ties directly to the broader blockade announced by President Donald Trump on April 12. Under that directive, vessels engaging in certain financial transactions tied to Iran—specifically payments in Chinese yuan or cryptocurrency—are subject to interception. The Touska appears to have been the latest test of that policy in practice.
The timing is notable. The seizure follows renewed instability in the strait, including reports of Iranian restrictions on passage and recent attacks on commercial shipping. At the same time, diplomatic signals continue, with discussions of potential переговоры involving U.S. envoys and Iranian officials still on the table.
From a military standpoint, the operation highlights the capabilities of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, which combines naval firepower with rapid-response boarding support.
The use of helicopter insertion allowed U.S. forces to secure the vessel quickly after disabling it, minimizing prolonged exposure in a contested waterway.
The footage itself does not show resistance from the crew, focusing instead on the mechanics of the boarding. What it does show clearly is the sequence: warning, disablement, and seizure—an enforcement pattern that may define similar encounters as long as the blockade remains in place.
