Three cargo ships attacked, two seized by Iran in Strait of Hormuz
Make us a preferred source
Make us a preferred source on Google
The news: Iran’s navy seized two commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and escorted them into its territorial waters, a statement from the Revolutionary Guards’ navy seen by the Financial Times said on Wednesday.
The ships, the MSC Francesca and Epaminodes were detained for “endangering maritime security”, operating without proper authorisation and allegedly manipulating their navigation systems. It also claimed one of the ships was linked to Israel.
The context: Earlier on Wednesday, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said that an Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gun boat opened fire on a container ship, the Panama-flagged Epaminodes, in the Strait off the coast of Oman, causing damage to the vessel’s bridge.
UKTMO then reported that the Panama-flagged Euphoria, owned by a UAE-based company, came under fire off the coast of Iran. No damage or injuries were reported.
A third cargo ship, the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca, was also attacked while attempting transit of the Strait on Wednesday, Maritime intelligence company Vanguard told BBC Verify. Vanguard said the ship was hailed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and instructed to drop anchor. The ship reported damage to the hull and accommodation.
The attacks come after US President Donald Trump extended the US ceasefire with Iran indefinitely on Tuesday evening (Wednesday AEST), hours after threatening to resume bombing, stating that Pakistan had asked him to hold off attacks while Tehran’s “seriously fractured” leadership works toward a unified proposal.
Trump said the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would remain in place despite the ceasefire.
Talks between the US and Iran had been due to take place this week, but have been postponed, with the White House confirming that Vice President JD Vance’s trip to Pakistan had been cancelled.
The sources: FT, BBC, UKTMO, The Guardian
