Iran's Revolutionary Guard has communicated this Wednesday the capture of two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, alleging that they "endangered maritime security" and that they operated in the area "without the necessary permits," in a context of strong tension in this strategic corridor after the offensive launched on February 28 by the United States and Israel against the Asian country.
According to the Revolutionary Guard Navy, the detained ships are the 'MSC-Francesca', which it links to Israel, and the 'Epaminodes'. Iranian authorities maintain that they "endangered maritime security by navigating without necessary permits and manipulating their navigation systems" and that they "are attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz secretly and without authorization".
In its statement, the naval force has underlined that these operations "are in line with the rights of the noble Iranian nation in the Strait of Hormuz", as reported by public television IRIB. "These ships have been transferred to Iran's territorial waters to examine their cargo and documents", it has pointed out, before warning that "the Navy of the Revolutionary Guard reiterates that any action that alters the application of the rules announced by Iran for traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as any activity contrary to safe passage in this strategic waterway, will be constantly monitored".
In the same note, Tehran remarks that "those who carry out violations" of these provisions will face "legal" and "decisive" measures, and emphasizes that "altering order and security in the Strait of Hormuz is our red line".
A few hours earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), dependent on the British Navy, had reported that two ships had been fired upon in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz. The incidents left no casualties, although one of the vessels suffered "serious" damage to the bridge, without it having been confirmed for now if these are the same ships intercepted by Iran.
Iranian authorities announced on April 17 the lifting of transit restrictions in the area, after a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon was confirmed the day before. However, they stated that they were re-imposing said limitations following the statements of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, who, after applauding Tehran's gesture, assured that US forces would maintain the blockade on the maritime route.
Trump himself announced on Tuesday the extension of the temporary ceasefire agreed on April 8, at the request of Pakistan, a country that acts as mediator in diplomatic talks. However, he insisted that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will remain in effect. This blockade, along with the recent assault and seizure of Iranian vessels in the area, is among the arguments put forward by Tehran to refuse to go to Islamabad, considering that such actions violate the ceasefire and hinder the dialogue process.