Iran has stepped up its show of force in the Strait of Hormuz, seizing two container ships after opening fire on vessels trying to leave the Gulf.
According to Iranian media, the country’s Revolutionary Guard said the ships were taken for what it described as “maritime violations.”
The vessels identified as the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas were then escorted into Iranian waters.
The incident marks the first time Iran has seized ships since the conflict with the United States and Israel began earlier this year.
Details emerging from maritime security sources paint a tense picture at sea.
The Epaminondas, a Greek-operated ship, reportedly came under heavy fire from an Iranian gunboat roughly 15 nautical miles off Oman’s coast.
The attack damaged the ship’s bridge, with crew members saying there was no warning before the shooting started.
The MSC Francesca was also targeted closer to Iranian waters. While it was hit by gunfire, it escaped serious damage and its crew remained safe.
A third vessel in the area was fired upon as well but managed to continue its journey without major issues.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has since issued a stark warning: any move it sees as disrupting “order and safety” in the strait will be treated as crossing a red line.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil routes, and any disruption there quickly ripples across global markets.
Unsurprisingly, oil prices ticked higher after news of the attacks, reflecting growing fears about supply disruptions.
With tensions still high and no clear path to de-escalation, the situation in the waterway is becoming increasingly unpredictable.
