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Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Naval Command announced Wednesday that it had seized two container ships in the Strait of Hormuz and escorted them to the Iranian coast.
The ships named the MSC Francesca, described as "linked to the Zionist regime," and the Epaminondas, both of which had been fired upon earlier in the morning, with the IRGC stating that "disrupting order and safety in the Strait of Hormuz is our red line."
The IRGC Naval Command's statement, published by Tasnim News Agency and the War Message Center, said: "Two non-compliant vessels, MSC Francesca, linked to the Zionist regime, and Epaminondas, which had endangered maritime security by operating without the necessary permits and by tampering with navigation systems, were seized by the IRGC Navy and escorted to the Iranian coast."
Iran's account directly contradicts earlier UKMTO reporting that had described both vessels as being fired upon without warning and with one, the Epaminondas, having been explicitly told it had permission to transit the strait before being attacked.
The IRGC framed the action as lawful enforcement against vessels operating without permits and tampering with navigation systems.
Iran's state television confirmed the two ships had been attacked by the Revolutionary Guard and were now in the force's custody.
Tensions have remained high since the outbreak of war between Iran, the United States, and Israel on February 28.
A two-week ceasefire was announced on April 8, and the U.S. and Iran held rare direct talks in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, on April 11-12, but the talks ended without an agreement.
Iran briefly eased restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz before reimposing controls amid ongoing disputes over maritime security and sanctions enforcement.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely, a day before the truce was to expire.
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