Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy detained two commercial cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, citing unauthorized operations and alleged ties to Israel, according to a report Friday. The IRGC identified the vessels as the “MSC-Francesca” and the “Epaminondas,” both operating under the MSC shipping line, Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency reported. Tehran accused the ships of breaching maritime regulations, interfering with navigation systems, and endangering other vessels in the waterway. The report said Iranian authorities said the ships were allegedly attempting to pass through the strait undetected before being intercepted and escorted into Iranian territorial waters. Since the war initiated by the US and Israel against Iran began Feb. 28, Tehran has maintained control of the Strait […]
This article was sourced from Middle East Monitor.
Read Full Article on Middle East Monitor →![A view of the vessels passing through Strait of Hormuz following the two-week temporary ceasefire reached between the United States and Iran on the condition that the strait be reopened, seen in Oman on April 08, 2026. [Shadi J. H. Alassar - Anadolu Agency]](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AA-20260408-41051776-41051765-VESSELS_PASS_THROUGH_STRAIT_OF_HORMUZ_FOLLOWING_USIRAN_CEASEFIRE-1-1.jpg)
