The United States said on Monday (20) that it suspects that the Iranian ship seized on Sunday (18) was transporting ‘dual-use’ equipment
The United States said on Monday (20) that it suspects that the Iranian ship seized on Sunday (18) carried ‘dual-use’ equipment. Although US forces did not detail what the items were, US Central Command listed metals, tubes and electronic components among other products that could have military and industrial use and could be captured.
Iran’s military said the ship was traveling from China and accused the US of “armed piracy”, according to Iranian state media on Monday.
What are dual-use equipment?
According to the European Parliament website, dual-use equipment is “goods designed for civilian use that, in the wrong hands, could be used to repress human rights or launch terrorist attacks.”
This equipment ranges from drones to chemicals, and used for negative purposes, can be used to control the population or to prepare attacks. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology explains that the term “dual use” originally referred to a “specific set of post-World War II nuclear materials that could be used for both military (weapons) and civilian (energy) purposes.”
Seized ship increases tension in war
The Iranian ship attacked and seized by the United States increased tension between the countries, at war since February 28th. According to US Central Command, “American forces sent multiple alerts and reports to the Iranian freighter that it was a violation of the US blockade”, explained the Command in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“After the Toruka’s ignored warnings for six hours, the Spruance disabled the Touska’s propulsion by firing several projectiles from the destroyer’s 5-inch MK 45 cannon into the vessel’s engine room,” he explained, and added that. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit later boarded the uncooperative ship, which remains in U.S. custody.
The seizure comes at a time when United States President Donald Trump stated that the truce with Iran ends on Wednesday night (22) and that it is “highly unlikely that the ceasefire will be extended” beyond the two weeks given. The truce between the US and Iran began on April 7th.
Another point of tension in relation to the negotiations is that the United States delegation is on its way to Pakistan for the second round of negotiations. However, the Iranians reported on Sunday (19) that they have no interest in participating, they claim that the United States has made “excessive demands” and “irrational demands”. “Under these conditions, there is no clear scenario for successful negotiations,” said the IRNA agency.
The objective of negotiations is to reach a agreement for a lasting end to the warstarted on February 28 by attacks from Israel and the United States, and which spread throughout the Middle East, with a balance of thousands of deadmainly in Iran and Lebanon, and a strong impact on the world economy.
