Two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz have reportedly been seized by Iran’s IRGC and are being taken to Iran, according to state media.
“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships,” the Guards said in a statement, AFP reported.
“The two offending ships… were seized by the IRGC’s naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast.”
The vessels are identified as MSC-FRANCESCA and EPAMINONDAS.
According to Marinetraffic website, EPAMINONDAS – a container ship sailing under the flag of Liberia – was headed to Gujarat from Jebel Ali in Dubai.
Three vessels attacked by Iran
Earlier today, at least three container ships were attacked by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, state media reported.
Attack 1: The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) said an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gunboat fired on a container ship about 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman. The vessel, Epaminondas, owned by a Greek company, sustained significant damage to its bridge.
Attack 2: A second incident involved the Panama-flagged Euphoria, owned by a UAE-based firm, which was reportedly attacked around eight nautical miles west of Iran. UKMTO stated that the crew remained unharmed and the ship did not suffer any damage.
Attack 3: The Panama-flagged MSC Francesca was also targeted roughly six nautical miles off Iran’s coast while sailing south from the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf of Oman. According to maritime intelligence firm Vanguard, the ship reported damage to its hull and accommodation areas.
Trump extends ceasefire
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday extended the ceasefire after talks, that were scheduled to take place in Islamabad, were halted.
(With inputs from BBC)
