Attacks on container ships in the Strait of Hormuz

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) justified its attacks by claiming that the transiting vessels lacked the required permits. As a result of the shelling, the bridge of the Greek container shipEpaminondas was damaged. The ship’s captain reported that an IRGC patrol boat approached and opened fire on the vessel. He added that no radio contact had been established prior to the incident and that the container ship had previously received authorisation to transit the strait. Two ships sailing under the Panamanian flag were also fired upon approximately 15 kilometers west of the Iranian coast. No crew members were injured, Reuters reported.

The IRGC Navy announced that the Panamanian vesselFrancesca and the Greek container shipEpaminondas “were seized” and directed toward the Iranian coast. They are accused of “operating without the necessary permits and tampering with navigation systems,” the BBC reported.

The attacks occurred following Donald Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire in the war with Iran. The American blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz remains in effect.