Iran Seizes 2 Ships in Strait of Hormuz Allegedly Linked to Israel

JAKARTA - The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy detained two commercial cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, citing unauthorized operations and alleged links to Israel.

The IRGC identified the vessels as "MSC-Francesca" and "Epaminondas", which operate under the container shipping company MSC, according to Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency, reported by ANTARA, Saturday, April 25.

Tehran accused the ships of violating maritime regulations, disrupting navigation systems and endangering other vessels in the waterway.

Iranian authorities said the ships were suspected of trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz undetected before being intercepted and escorted into Iranian territorial waters.

Since the war initiated by the US and Israel against Iran began on February 28, Tehran has maintained control over the Strait of Hormuz.

The move, followed by a US Navy blockade of Iranian ports on April 13, has hit global energy supplies, especially across Asia.