U.S. Navy Destroyer Fires Deck Gun at Iranian Ship for First Time in Nearly 40 Years

The incident involved the Touska attempting to evade a naval blockade on Iranian ports. The Touska, an unarmed civilian cargo vessel, sustained damage to its engine room from the gunfire. The ship did not sink and was subsequently boarded and seized by U.S. forces.

Video footage released by the Navy shows the moment of impact near the Strait of Hormuz.

A U.S. Navy official stated that the last confirmed instance of such an action occurred on April 18, 1988, during Operation Praying Mantis in the Persian Gulf. In that operation, U.S. ships including the guided missile cruiser USS Wainwright, destroyer escort USS Bagley, and guided missile frigate USS Simpson fired upon the Iranian fast attack craft IRIS Joshan.

The engagement involved deck guns after missile exchanges. Operation Praying Mantis was a response to the mining of the U.S. frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts on April 14, 1988, which caused significant hull damage and injuries to 10 sailors. The operation resulted in the destruction of two Iranian ships, severe damage to another, and the neutralization of two surveillance platforms.

It was part of the broader Operation Ernest Will, which protected merchant shipping during the Iran-Iraq War.

The recent incident differs from the 1988 event, as the Touska was a civilian vessel without armaments, unlike the armed IRIS Joshan. Much of Iran's naval fleet has been destroyed in the ongoing conflict known as Epic Fury, leaving primarily smaller craft operational.

Iran described the seizure as an act of piracy and demanded the return of the ship and crew, while threatening retaliation, though none has occurred as of April 22, 2026. The 1988 operation led to a reduction in Iranian attacks on merchant vessels, according to historical accounts.

In contrast, the Touska incident has not prompted Iran to engage in negotiations to end the current war. The U.S. Navy has not reported further escalations immediately following the event.