Iran seizes 2 cargo vessels in Strait of Hormuz for alleged links to Israel

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 of Hormuz, followed by an American naval blockade on April 13, hitting global energy supplies, mostly across Asia.