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The 2 container ships seized by Iranian forces within the Strait of Hormuz have been taken towards the port of Bandar Abbas alongside the important thing waterway, a report mentioned Thursday.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed on Wednesday that the vessels, recognized because the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas, have been working with out correct authorization and had tampered with navigation programs, accusations that might not be independently verified.
“Some 20 Iranians armed to the enamel stormed the ship. Sailors are underneath Iranians’ management, their actions on the ship are restricted, however the Iranians are treating them effectively,” a relative of a captive onboard one of many ships told Reuters on Thursday in relation to one of many seizures.
The information outlet cited sources as saying that each ships — that are managed by Mediterranean Transport Firm (MSC) — have been taken toward Bandar Abbas, with a mixed 40 crew onboard.
The Panama-flagged MSC Francesca vessel is docked in Lengthy Seaside, Calif., on April 16, 2025. (Efrain Morales/Reuters)
“The ship is anchored 9 nautical miles from the Iranian coast. Negotiations between MSC and Iran are ongoing, our sailors are wonderful,” Filip Radulovic, Montenegro’s minister of maritime affairs, was quoted by Reuters as telling state tv there.
Earlier than their seizure on Wednesday, the ships reported coming underneath fireplace close to the strait, underscoring the more and more risky circumstances in one of many world’s most crucial transport lanes.
The state of affairs is unfolding after U.S. forces just lately seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship within the Gulf of Oman because it was approaching Iranian waters Sunday.
PENTAGON WARNS OF 6-MONTH TIMELINE TO CLEAR IRANIAN MINES FROM STRAIT OF HORMUZ: REPORT
Troopers participate within the operation seizing container ships MSC Francesca and Epaminondas within the Strait of Hormuz, in response to Iranian state TV on April 22, 2026. (IRIB/Handout/Reuters)
That vessel, the Touska, stays in U.S. custody as American forces proceed inspecting what maritime safety sources informed Reuters is probably going “dual-use” cargo — supplies that may serve each civilian and army functions — following a voyage from Asia.
The U.S. army can be persevering with to implement a blockade of Iranian ports on Thursday.
The Epaminondas container ship is seen in Naples, Italy, on March 12, 2025. (Giovanni Costigliola/Reuters)
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Thus far, U.S. forces have redirected 33 vessels for the reason that begin of the blockade towards Iran, U.S. Central Command mentioned Thursday.
Fox Information Digital’s Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
