The United States military has seized an Iranian container ship, the Touska, off the coast of the Gulf. The US claims the ship was attempting to evade its naval blockade, and Iran calls it 'piracy'. This comes as the US prepares to send negotiators to Pakistan for talks aimed at ending their war. The military has been enforcing a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz since April 13, barring any ships belonging to Iran, or travelling to or from Iranian ports, from passing through the strait. Iran has responded by describing the attack and hijacking as an act of piracy and threatening retribution. The Tousaka is the first non-military Iranian ship the US has targeted during its week-long naval blockade.