Iranian media, including Fars News Agency and Tasnim News Agency, reported that a third vessel, a Greek-owned ship, was also targeted and left stranded near the coast.
BY PC Bureau
April 22, 2026 — Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its naval units seized at least two vessels in the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, underscoring continuing tensions in the region despite a recently extended ceasefire announced by Donald Trump.
In a statement, the IRGC Navy identified the ships as MSC Francesca and Epaminondas, alleging they had “jeopardised maritime security,” were operating without proper authorization, and had tampered with navigation systems. The vessels were subsequently directed toward Iranian territorial waters, it said.
“Disrupting order and safety in the Strait of Hormuz is our red line,” the IRGC warned, signalling a tougher enforcement posture in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
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The IRGC Navy Command:
“Two violating ships, “MSC-FRANCESCA” (linked to the Zionist regime) and “EPAMINODES,” which endangered maritime security by operating without the necessary permits and tampering with navigation systems, were seized by the IRGC Navy and directed to the… https://t.co/B30KOocAU0 pic.twitter.com/GltPDS72wt
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) April 22, 2026
Iranian semi-official outlets, including Fars News Agency and Tasnim News Agency, reported that a third vessel — a Greek-owned ship named Euphoria — was also targeted and left stranded near Iran’s coast.
Shipping data from MarineTraffic indicated that MSC Francesca, sailing under the Panama flag, was last recorded “at anchor” in the Gulf of Oman with minimal movement, while Epaminondas, flagged in Liberia, was listed as “stopped” in the same language.
Earlier in the day, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported two separate incidents involving vessels coming under fire in the vicinity of the strait, though it did not name the ships involved.
The developments come a day after Washington announced an extension of the Iran ceasefire, even as maritime tensions continue to simmer around the chokepoint, through which roughly a fifth of global oil and gas supplies pass.
Iran has in recent days insisted that vessels transiting the strait must obtain prior clearance from its authorities and adhere strictly to designated routes, warning that any violations or actions deemed unsafe would invite intervention by its naval forces.
