Ships reportedly attacked in Strait of Hormuz as blockade turns 28 vessels around
Daniel Turner, the founder and executive director of Power The Future, offers an in-depth analysis of the United States’ blockade against Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. He discusses Iran’s strategy to economically endure the US actions, highlighting the resulting effects on oil and gas prices. According to Turner, market confidence is crucial for price stability. He also critiques the current climate policies, suggesting they have increased living costs and adversely impacted the US both economically and militarily.
On Wednesday, reports emerged that Iran opened fire on three ships navigating through the Strait of Hormuz.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre, managed by the British military, reported that an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gunboat targeted a container ship near Oman. This incident caused significant damage to the vessel’s bridge.
The UKMTO notice confirmed, “No fires or environmental damage were recorded. All crew members are safe.”
Another alert from the UKMTO mentioned that a cargo ship heading out from Iran was also fired upon and is currently stationary. The report assured that the crew is unharmed and accounted for.
“The vessel has not sustained any damage,” the statement concluded.
Maps4Media processed and enhanced Sentinal-2 satellite imagery shows a broad view of the Strait of Hormuz between southern Iran and Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, including surrounding islands, coastal terrain, and turquoise shallow-water zones at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. (Photo enhanced and published by maps4media via Getty Images)
Iranian media said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was bringing two ships to Iran after seizing them in the Strait of Hormuz, according to The Associated Press.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) command claimed in an X post that the two vessels, the MSC-Francesca and Epaminodes, “had endangered maritime security by operating without the necessary permits and tampering with navigation systems.”
It said the vessels “were seized by the IRGC Navy and escorted to Iran’s coast,” according to a translation.
“Disruption of order and safety in the Strait of Hormuz is our red line,” the command wrote.
It also claimed the MSC-Francesca is “linked to the Zionist regime.”
Motorists ride past the Imam Sadiq mosque with a giant Iranian flag installed on its front at the Palestine Square in Tehran on April 19, 2026. (Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images)
Iranian media also reported that the IRGC attacked a third ship, identified as the Euphoria, according to the AP.
The development comes after President Donald Trump announced Tuesday afternoon that the United States was extending a ceasefire.
“Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” the president wrote on Truth Social..
President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media outside the Oval Office of the White House on April 13, 2026. (Salwan Georges/Bloomberg)
“I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other,” he added.
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