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Three cargo ships were reportedly attacked by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) In the Strait of Hormuz on April 22.
The first ship, the Liberia-flagged Epaminondas, is owned by a Greek company and, according to AIS data from Marine Traffic, was not transmitting a detectable signal while crossing the strait.
Reports from both the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and Vanguard Tech indicate that the ship’s master had been told the vessel had permission to transit the strait. However, it was approached by an IRGC gunboat, which opened fire and caused significant damage to the bridge.
The second ship was the Panama-flagged Euphoria, which is owned by a United Arab Emirates-based company. Marine Traffic data shows that the port of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia is listed as its destination.
In a statement, UKMTO said it “is aware of high levels of activity in the SoH [Strait of Hormuz] area and encourages vessels to report any suspicious activity”.
The Panama-flagged MSC Francesca was later targeted about six nautical miles off the coast of Iran while it was heading south out of the strait and into the Gulf of Oman.
“The vessel was hailed on VHF by the IRGC and instructed to drop anchor. The Master stated that the incident caused damage to the hull and accommodation,” Vanguard Tech said.
Iran’s Fars news agency reported that the IRGC Navy said it has seized Epaminondas and MSC Francesca and guided the vessels to its coast. Marine Traffic data both vessels largely stationary a few miles west of the Iranian port city of Sirik.
In a statement, the IRGC said that the ships were detained for “operating without the required authorization and for manipulating navigation systems,” adding that this endangered maritime safety.
The attacks come hours after United States President Donald Trump announced an extension to the ceasefire with Iran until talks mediated by Pakistan come to a conclusion. He noted, however, that the blockade imposed on the ports of Iran will continue.
Trump explained later in a Truth Social post that he wants to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed so Iran cannot tax those sailing through the channel.
“They want it open so they can make $500 Million a day,” Trump wrote
“They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!). They merely want to save face,” he added.
Halting the blockade has been one of Iran’s main demands to return to that talks with the U.S. Trump does not appear to be willing to compromise on this, however.
The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most critical maritime choke point, acting as the sole sea passage for over 20 percent of global oil and liquid natural gas traffic, making its security vital to the global energy supply. The recent attacks by the IRGC will likely directly impact energy prices.
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