TWZ reported on the use of deck guns by the US Navy during the seizure of the Touska vessel

During the shelling and seizure of the Iranian merchant ship Touska, the US military used a deck cannon against another ship for the first time in almost 40 years. This was reported on April 22 by The War Zone (TWZ) portal, citing a US Navy official.

"When on April 19, the destroyer USS Spruance opened fire on the Iranian cargo ship Tousca with its five—inch MK 45 cannon, which was the first such case in almost four decades," the publication says.

According to the newspaper, the last time the US Navy used deck artillery against another ship was in 1988 in the Persian Gulf. At that time, the target of the US military was also an Iranian ship.

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On April 19, American leader Donald Trump announced the seizure by the United States military of an Iranian cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, which allegedly tried to break through the American naval blockade. He noted that the ship is currently under the control of the US Marine Corps.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry, in turn, issued a statement condemning the United States for the attack on the merchant ship Touska in the Sea of Oman and demanding the immediate release of the ship's crew. The Foreign Ministry indicated that Iran will use all opportunities to protect the interests and national security of the country, as well as to respect the rights and dignity of Iranians.