Strait of Hormuz: Iran seizes two vessels, including Greek-owned Epaminondas

Sailing done the Strait of Hormuz is entering a renewed signifier of tension pursuing the seizure of two instrumentality vessels by the naval bid of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), with Tehran warning that “any disruption to maritime information constitutes a reddish line.”

According to a statement attributed to Iran’s War Messaging Center, “two non-compliant vessels, MSC Francesca and Epaminondas, were seized by the IRGC Navy and escorted to the Iranian coast, arsenic portion of efforts to enforce power implicit maritime transit.”

Epaminondas, a 6,673 TEU vessel (built successful 1998), managed by MSC and linked to Greek interests, is reported to person travel under onslaught by an Iranian naval unit. Information indicated that the span sustained important damage, though nary injuries among the unit person been reported.

Meanwhile, MSC Francesca, with a capableness of 11,660 TEU (built successful 2008), was immobilised astatine oversea pursuing an attempted transit of the Strait, reinforcing the cognition of broad power that Iran is seeking to asseverate successful the area.

The two vessels are among astatine slightest 8 MSC containerships that person remained stranded successful the Persian Gulf since the onset of the conflict, underscoring the ongoing disruption of maritime flows on 1 of the world’s astir captious vigor and trade corridors.