Iran’s Revolutionary Guard seizes two ships in Strait of Hormuz after attack, reports

TEHRAN, IRAN: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has reportedly targeted three ships in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian news agencies, marking a further escalation in tensions in the critical shipping route.

Two vessels were seized and escorted to Iranian waters, while a third ship was left stranded near the coast.

The incidents follow earlier reports of ships coming under fire in the strait. The developments come amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing maritime security concerns.

Iran targets and seizes vessels in strategic waterway

According to reports from Iran’s Fars news agency, three ships were targeted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday morning, April 22.

A Greek-owned vessel, identified as Euphoria, was reported to have been left stranded along Iran’s shores.

Fars also reported that two additional ships, MSC Francesca and Epaminondas, were targeted while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

The vessels were described as having been “immobilized,” with further confirmation from the semi-official Tasnim news agency that both ships were seized.

In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the IRGC Navy Command said the vessels were taken into custody for alleged violations.

The MSC Francesca and Epaminondas “had endangered maritime security by operating without the required authorization and by tampering with navigation systems,” the statement said.

“The ships were seized by the IRGC Navy and escorted to Iran’s coast,” it added. “Disrupting order and safety in the Strait of Hormuz is our red line.”

The statement also claimed that one of the vessels, MSC Francesca, was linked to Israel, though no evidence was provided.

Earlier in the day, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center reported that two ships had come under fire in the strait, though it did not initially identify the vessels.

Shipping activity continues amid signal disruptions

Despite the reported attacks, shipping traffic has continued through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor.

Data collected from the vessel tracking service MarineTraffic indicated that at least seven tankers or cargo ships transited the strait within 12 hours leading up to early morning.

In addition to commercial vessels, smaller craft and at least three Iranian ships, including a tanker, were observed operating in the area.

However, the movement of ships has been accompanied by irregularities in tracking data.

Several vessels were noted to have intermittently paused their Automated Identification System (AIS) transmissions.

The AIS system is mandated by the International Maritime Organization for many vessels to ensure navigational safety and transparency in global waterways.

Tracking data showed that the MSC Francesca, a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship, had been in the Persian Gulf since April 18 before moving toward the strait and turning off its transponder.

It later reappeared off Iran’s coast. Similarly, the Epaminondas, sailing under a Liberian flag, was last detected heading toward the strait before ceasing transmission and later reappearing in the area.

The third vessel, Euphoria, did not disable its tracking signal but displayed unusual movements.