The Iranian cargo ship „Touska“, which was attacked and detained by the US Navy in the Gulf of Oman while attempting to breach the US blockade, was traveling from China to Iran, the Washington Post reports, News.bg reports.
According to data from the analytical company Kpler, the ship - with a capacity of about 4,800 containers - was returning with cargo from the port of Gaolan in Zhuhai.
Experts point out that this port is known for loading chemicals, including sodium perchlorate - a key component for solid rocket fuel used in missile programs. However, it is still unclear what exactly the ship's cargo was.
„Touska“ belongs to an Iranian company that the US has previously accused of supplying materials for Tehran's ballistic missile program.
US President Donald Trump said that US military forces had intercepted and taken control of the ship on Sunday.
CENTCOM said that after the crew failed to comply with orders to stop for six hours, the destroyer USS Spruance opened fire, damaging the engine.
US Marines later boarded the ship, and the ship is currently under US control.