Iran maintains Strait of Hormuz closure amid US blockade, seizes two ships
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
Iran has reiterated its stance that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed as long as a US naval blockade is in effect, despite a ceasefire extension. This declaration followed Iran's announcement of the seizure of two ships attempting to traverse the strategic waterway. US Central Command CENTCOM reported that it had directed 31 vessels to turn around or return to port as part of its own blockade against Iran. US President Donald Trump had previously stated his intention to maintain the truce to facilitate Pakistani-brokered peace talks, a move Iran welcomed but did not elaborate on. Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf emphasized that a complete ceasefire is meaningless if violated by a naval blockade, asserting that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is not possible under such conditions. Oil prices initially rose by four percent before easing after Iran's announcement. The seized vessels were identified by Iran's Revolutionary Guards as the Panama-flagged container ship MSC Francesca and the Liberia-flagged Epaminondas. Panama's foreign ministry confirmed the seizure of the MSC Francesca, calling it a serious attack on maritime security and an unnecessary escalation. UK-based maritime security monitors also reported incidents involving gunboats in the strait, including a container ship being fired upon by a Revolutionary Guards boat. The US Navy, under Trump's orders, is attempting to block vessels from Iranian ports to pressure the Iranian economy. Amidst the
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