US seizes Iranian-flagged cargo ship near Strait of Hormuz as new talks are in question - AP News

The U.S. says it has attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz that tried to get around its blockade of Iranian ports. Iran's joint military command says Tehran will respond soon and calls it an act of piracy. It’s the first interception since the U.S. naval blockade began last week. The incident raises questions about the fragile ceasefire that expires within days. Trump's announcement earlier on Sunday about another round of U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan this week is now in question. Iran hasn't confirmed its attendance. The Strait of Hormuz is crucial for...

US Navy seizes an Iranian-flagged ship near Strait of Hormuz and Tehran vows swift response

The United States said it forcibly seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that tried to pass its naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the first such interception since the blockade of Iranian ports began last week.

Pakistani authorities on Sunday prepared to host a second round of talks between Iran and the United States, despite questions about whether the negotiations will take place. Authorities deployed troops at checkpoints, closed tourist sites and instructed major hotels to limit bookings to ensure availability.

During Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon over the past weeks, Israel’s air force destroyed several bridges on the Litani river. After a 10-day ceasefire was declared as of midnight Thursday, the Lebanese army and the Litani Authority had been working on putting temporary bridges to replace the destroyed ones. (AP video by Mohammad Anouti and Fadi Tawil)

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said his country isn’t for a new round of face-to-face talks with the US because the Americans “have not abandoned their maximalist position.” On Friday, US President Donald Trump said the US would go into Iran and “get all the nuclear dust,” referring to the 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium believed to be buried under nuclear sites badly damaged by US military strikes last year. (AP video by Mehmet Guzel)

Tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Asghar Besharati)

Women share a moment as they look at a smartphone at the main gate of the Tehran University as a banner shows portraits of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, right, and the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

A police officer stands guard at a checkpoint on a barricaded road to ensure security ahead of the second round of the U.S. Iran officials talks, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/M.A. Sheikh)

A tanker sits anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Asghar Besharati)

Police officers stand guard at a checkpoint on a barricaded road to ensure security ahead of the second round of the U.S. Iran officials talks, in Islamabad, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/M.A. Sheikh)

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