Iran is clearly making a statement here that whatever ceasefire plans that Trump has, they are going to still want to do things their way. It might just be another show of force, just like their grandstanding. But for the time being at least, it is very clear that the Strait of Hormuz remains in de facto closure. And the message from the Iran military is that they won’t want to open it up any time soon.
According to the UKMTO, the Greek-flagged vessel Epaminondas was fired upon by a gun boat from the IRGC in the Strait of Hormuz. While the UKMTO claims that no radio warning was given to the vessel, Iran’s state media is saying that the ship “ignored warnings” before being fired upon. It is reported that there is heavy damage to the bridge of the ship.
Meanwhile, the Panama-flagged vessel MSC Francesca was said to be targeted about six nautical miles off the coast of Iran while it was heading south out of the strait and into the Gulf of Oman. The ship reported damage to the hull and accommodation before being “instructed to drop anchor”.
Update: A third ship is now reported to have been attacked, namely the Panama-flagged vessel Euphoria.
