The US deploys an aircraft carrier to participate in the blockade of Iranian ports

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei declared that the US blockade of Iranian ports and coastlines not only violated the ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, but was also “an illegal, criminal act and a collective punishment of the people.”

The positions of the three US Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs) heading towards the Middle East as of April 20th. Graphic: USNI News

Tensions escalated on April 19th, when the US destroyer USS Spruance fired on and neutralized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska as it sailed in the Sea of ​​Oman. US Marines deployed from the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli subsequently secured the Iranian cargo ship.

Tehran accused this of violating the ceasefire and warned of a strong response. Iranian officials also stated that recent US actions show a lack of seriousness regarding peace negotiations, and therefore have not confirmed participation in the second round of talks in Islamabad.