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The ship, identified as the Touska, was intercepted by US forces on April 19 while sailing towards the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas.
US forces patrolling the Arabian Sea near the Touska, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, on April 20. (AFP photo)
Iran’s Red Crescent Society and its Mission to the United Nations said that the commercial vessel seized by US forces in the Sea of Oman was carrying vital dialysis supplies and medical equipment for patients.
The ship, identified as the Touska, was intercepted by US forces on April 19 while sailing towards the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, according to Iranian officials and US Central Command (CENTCOM).
The Iranian Red Crescent Society said the vessel was transporting essential medical goods needed for dialysis treatment. In a statement shared on X, it said the seizure of the ship amounted to a violation of international law and endangered the lives of vulnerable patients.
The U.S. attack and illegal seizure of Iran’s commercial vessel “Toska,” and the taking of its crew hostage on 19 April in the Sea of Oman—while carrying critical dialysis supplies and medical equipment—constitutes a flagrant breach of international law, including the peremptory…— I.R.IRAN Mission to UN, NY (@Iran_UN) April 24, 2026
The organisation said the Iranian Red Crescent Society and the National Committee for Humanitarian Law strongly condemned the incident, called it as a “blatant violation of international law” that threatens access to life-saving medical care.
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Iran’s Mission to the United Nations also issued a strong statement, saying the ship was carrying critical dialysis supplies and medical equipment when it was seized and its crew taken into custody. It said the action placed patients in serious danger and undermined freedom of navigation in international waters.
“This coercive and unlawful act endangers lives, undermines freedom of navigation, and places vulnerable patients at grave risk. The perpetrators must be held accountable,” the mission noted.
US Central Command had confirmed the vessel’s interception but has not publicly detailed the cargo beyond stating that it was sailing towards Iran at the time of the operation.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump had claimed that the vessel contained “a gift from China” and suggesting links to restricted shipments. His remarks followed social media claims by former US diplomat Nikki Haley alleging the ship was connected to sensitive cargo movements from China to Iran.
However, China’s foreign ministry rejected the allegations, with spokesperson Guo Jiakun saying the claims were unfounded and not based on evidence. He added that normal trade relations should not be subject to interference or political disruption.
“China rejects any assertion and speculation that lack factual evidence,” Jiakun said in a press briefing.
(With inputs from agencies)
April 24, 2026, 11:29 pm IST
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