Iran said it had captured two container ships and another ship trying to exit the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after they fired on them, the first seizure since the US and Israel launched attacks on the Islamic republic in February.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported the seizures and said its Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy had also warned that any disruption of order and security in the strait would be considered a “red line”.
The IRGC accused the seized ships, the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and the Liberia-flagged Epaminondas, of operating without required permits and tampering with their navigation systems.
The Greek-operated Epaminondas reported firing about 20 nautical miles northwest of Oman.
According to United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations and maritime security sources, its bridge was damaged after being hit by gunfire and a rocket-propelled grenade from an IRGC gunboat.
Greek operator Technomar Shipping Inc confirmed the attack in a statement and said its crew were safe.-Reuters
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