Iran seizes two ships in Strait of Hormuz

ALBAWABA- Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said on Wednesday it had intercepted and seized two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing them of repeated maritime violations and suspicious conduct in one of the world’s most sensitive shipping lanes.

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In a statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy identified the ships as MSC Francesca, described as “linked to Israel”, and Epaminodes. Iranian authorities said both vessels were operating without proper authorization and had allegedly interfered with their navigation tracking systems. The navy added that the ships were attempting to pass through the strait “covertly” before being intercepted based on intelligence monitoring.

The vessels have since been escorted into Iranian territorial waters, where officials say their cargo and documentation will be inspected. While Tehran has not disclosed the ships’ exact cargo or destinations, they were likely transiting between Gulf ports and international markets in Asia or Europe, as is typical for vessels crossing the strait.

The incident comes at a time of heightened tension at sea. The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes, has increasingly become a focal point of confrontation. 

Iran has repeatedly accused the United States of effectively imposing a naval blockade through sanctions enforcement and interdictions targeting Iranian oil exports, particularly following recent incidents in the Sea of Oman.

Tehran often frames such actions as violations of international law and says it is responding in kind by tightening its own maritime enforcement. The seizure of the two vessels also reflects a broader pattern of friction involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, where commercial shipping is increasingly caught in the middle of geopolitical disputes.