🚨 The U.S. just fired on and seized an Iranian cargo ship. And the ceasefire clock is ticking.

So here's what actually happened — no fluff:

The USS Spruance intercepted the Iranian container ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman. U.S. forces fired on its engine room, then boarded and seized it. (NPR)

CENTCOM says the ship refused to comply with warnings over six hours before the Navy opened fire. (NPR)

Iran's response?

Iran's Foreign Ministry called the U.S. naval blockade "unlawful and criminal" — amounting to, in their words, "war crime and crime against humanity." (Al Jazeera) They're not mincing words.

Why this matters:

This didn't happen in a vacuum.

A two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is about to expire — and talks held in Islamabad earlier this month wrapped up with no path forward. (CNN)

No tankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to tracking data. (CNN) You don't see that for no reason.

About 20% of the world's crude oil and natural gas typically moves through that waterway. (NPR)

Here's the bigger picture:

• April 18: Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz again, blaming the U.S. for "breaches of trust" (CNN)

• April 20: Iran's Foreign Ministry says they now have no plans for a new round of talks (Al Jazeera)

• U.S. gas prices hit a national average of $4.05/gallon — and may not fall below $3 until next year, according to the Energy Secretary (NPR)

• Iran is simultaneously working to clear debris from the entrances to its underground missile bases during the ceasefire (CNN)

And the uncomfortable truth?

Iran dismissed U.S. talk of negotiations as "a media game" aimed at pressuring Tehran through a blame game. (Al Jazeera)

Meanwhile Trump threatened to knock out "every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran" if a deal isn't reached.

This is what a ceasefire falling apart looks like in real time —

quietly at first…

then all at once.

Keep your eyes on this. 👀