US Seizes Iranian Ship Near Hormuz As Tehran Blocks Waterway, Refuses Talks

Tensions Escalate After Naval Standoff, Ceasefire on Verge of Collapse

US forces have seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel near the Strait of Hormuz after a six-hour naval standoff, prompting Tehran to close the strategic waterway and pull out of scheduled peace talks in Islamabad.

President Donald Trump confirmed the US military took custody of the ship, named Touska, following warnings by a guided missile destroyer in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was returning from China.

Iran immediately retaliated by shutting the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Washington of “armed piracy” and launching drone attacks on US warships.

Ship Seizure Details Emerge

The US Central Command released video showing Marines boarding the M/V Tosca after a US warship fired its 5-inch MK-45 gun, hitting the engine room.

Officials said the crew refused to heed warnings for approximately six hours. The vessel, measuring 294 metres, had departed from Malaysia’s Klang Port on April 12 and was headed to Iran’s Abbas Port.

Iranian state agency Tasnim described the American action as a violation of the existing ceasefire agreement.

Hormuz Blocked Again

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref declared that security of the Strait of Hormuz will not come for free.

“One cannot restrict Iran’s oil exports while expecting free security for others,” Aref wrote on X. He gave a clear choice: either a free oil market for all, or significant costs for everyone.

Data from shipping analytics firm Kpler showed over 20 vessels passed through the strait on Saturday, the highest number since the war began on March 1. That movement has now stopped.

Islamabad Talks in Doubt

The second round of US-Iran talks scheduled for Tuesday in Islamabad stands cancelled after Iran refused to send its delegation.

According to Iran’s state news agency, no representatives will travel to Pakistan as long as the US naval blockade continues. Tehran has also cited American “excessive demands” and “frequent shifts in position” as obstacles.

Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghaddam, accused the US of violating international law while simultaneously talking about negotiations.

JD Vance Departs Despite Confusion

US Vice President JD Vance has left for Pakistan, according to a BBC report, even though President Trump had earlier told the New York Post that Vance would not be going.

Vance led the US delegation in talks with Iran on April 11-12. Those discussions lasted approximately 21 hours but yielded no agreement, with differences remaining over Iran’s nuclear programme and control of the strait.

Security has been tightened in Islamabad, with US advance teams arriving to assess arrangements.

Indian Ships Targeted

In a development with direct implications for India, Iran fired on two Indian ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Officials said fourteen vessels were intercepted, while thirteen returned safely.

India has summoned its ambassador and lodged a strong protest. The government is monitoring the situation closely, given the strait’s critical importance for energy imports and trade routes.

A French shipping company, CMA CGM, also confirmed one of its vessels was subjected to warning shots on Saturday.

Ceasefire Deadline Looms

The ceasefire between the US and Iran is set to expire on April 22, with just two days remaining.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that negotiations are ongoing but reaching an agreement remains difficult. Ebrahim Azizi, head of the National Security Committee, said Iran views talks with the US “as a continuation of the battlefield.”

President Trump has warned this is Iran’s last chance to reach a peace deal, vowing not to repeat what he called the mistakes of former President Barack Obama.

What Next

Oil prices have already bounced back following the re-escalation of hostilities. Global fuel stability remains uncertain unless economic and military pressures on Iran are lifted.

All eyes are on April 22. If no agreement emerges and the blockade continues, the region could witness a full-scale breakdown of the already fragile ceasefire. For the latest news today on this developing story, stay tuned to this English news portal India for government updates and national and international news.

Food Delivery Giants Raise Incentives as Gig Workers Continue Nationwide Strike

With a nationwide strike by gig workers disrupting food and grocery deliveries, leading delivery platforms Swiggy and Zomato have announced increased incentives to motivate their workforce during the high-demand New Year’s Eve period.

According to company sources, Zomato has raised its peak-hour payouts to ₹120–₹150 per order for deliveries made between 6 pm and 12 am on December 31. The company also assured total earnings of up to ₹3,000 per day, depending on the number of completed orders and delivery availability.

No Penalty for Refusing Orders

Zomato has also announced a temporary waiver on penalties for delivery partners who refuse or cancel orders. The company described this as part of its standard operating protocol during festivities and year-end surges.

“This is part of our annual festive operating model that allows riders to maximize earnings without fear of penalties,” a Zomato spokesperson told PTI.

Swiggy Offers Bonuses Up to ₹10,000

In a similar move, Swiggy has rolled out special incentives worth up to ₹10,000 for delivery agents covering December 31 and January 1. The platform aims to ensure operational continuity amid the ongoing protest and increasing order demand during festive evenings.

Industry insiders say these incentives are designed to encourage participation despite the nationwide strike that could affect over one lakh delivery partners across states including Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi-NCR, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.

Nationwide Strike Continues Despite Festive Demand

According to reports by ANI and PTI, delivery workers remain on strike under the call by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT).
The unions are demanding better pay, social security, and recognition as formal employees. Despite this, analysts believe many workers may still log in due to higher earning opportunities during festive nights.

Karan Taurani, Executive Vice President at Elara Capital, notes,

“While participation in strikes is high, the New Year period offers strong monetary incentives. Many workers will likely continue deliveries.”

Top Reasons Behind Gig Workers’ Protests

Union leaders highlight five major grievances driving the current unrest:

• Lack of social security benefits such as health insurance or provident fund.
  
  

• Declining per-order incentives, which have fallen from ₹40–₹60 to ₹15–₹25.
  
  

• Strain of quick-commerce deadlines, forcing risky deliveries.
  
  

• Arbitrary blocking of IDs, leaving riders jobless without warning.
  
  

• Unclear legal status, as workers seek recognition as employees rather than “partners.”
  
  

Impact on Deliveries and Revenue

Analysts predict that the strike’s biggest impact will be seen in South Indian metro cities, where food and quick-commerce apps rely heavily on local riders. Order volumes are expected to drop by 10–20%, though the overall national revenue impact could remain moderate—around 0.3–0.7%.

Despite the challenges, both Swiggy and Zomato are optimistic about maintaining delivery continuity through incentives, extended support, and operational flexibility.