Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that its naval forces intercepted two ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and redirected them towards Iranian territorial waters.
In an official statement, the IRGC said the vessels were stopped in the early hours of Wednesday for allegedly violating maritime restrictions. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical shipping route linking the Gulf with global energy markets.
Ships identified by Iranian authorities
The IRGC identified one of the vessels as the “MSC-FRANCESCA”, which it claimed is linked to Israel, describing it as belonging to a “Zionist regime”. The second vessel was identified as “EPAMINONDAS”, which Iran said had interfered with navigation systems and posed a safety risk at sea.
According to the announcement, both ships were taken under control by IRGC naval units and redirected towards Iranian coastal waters. However, it was not immediately clarified whether Iranian forces boarded the vessels during the operation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Strategic maritime warning issued
Iranian authorities warned against any actions that violate regulations imposed in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that all vessels must comply with navigation rules set by the Islamic Republic.
The IRGC further stated that any activity deemed to undermine maritime safety or security in the waterway would be met with response measures.
Key global shipping route
Tehran has previously said that ships must obtain permission to enter or exit the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy transit points, accounting for around one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments in peacetime.
Since the escalation of the regional conflict involving Israel and the United States, Iran has reportedly restricted passage, allowing only limited vessel movement through the waterway.
Also read: Greek-owned ship “Epaminondas” attacked after ceasefire extension
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