New Delhi, Apr 23, 2026 — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps opened fire on three merchant ships and seized two vessels, including a container ship bound for India, as tensions escalated in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian forces said they captured the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and the Greek-owned container ship Epaminondas, which was reported en route to Mundra port in Gujarat. The IRGC Navy said both ships were being directed toward the Iranian coast and accused them of operating without authorisation and tampering with navigation systems.
According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre, an IRGC gunboat opened fire on the Epaminondas about 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman, causing heavy damage to the vessel’s bridge. The MSC Francesca was reportedly hit roughly six nautical miles off the Iranian coast while heading south out of the Strait toward the Gulf of Oman, suffering damage to its hull and accommodation.
A third vessel, the Euphoria, was also fired upon; authorities report the crew and ship are safe.
The incidents follow separate US naval activity in the region. US Central Command said American forces seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman after it failed to comply with blockade directions. CENTCOM added that since a naval blockade began on April 13, US forces have directed 28 commercial vessels to turn back or return to Iranian ports.
In Washington, President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of a ceasefire after Pakistan conveyed a request that Iran be given time to prepare a unified peace proposal. Trump said on his social platform that the US would pause a planned attack while keeping the naval blockade and military readiness in place, and suggested Iran was suffering major financial losses — up to $500 million a day — from restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that reopening the strait without a broader agreement could undermine negotiations and risk renewed escalation.
Iran’s response was cautious but resolute. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran remains prepared to defend itself while remaining open to diplomacy, and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s mediation. He denied that Iran started the conflict and characterised Iranian measures as legitimate self-defence. Baqaei added that future engagement with the US would depend on conditions that deliver tangible benefits for Iran and that Tehran will seek accountability for damage it attributes to US and Israeli actions.
The situation leaves key shipping lanes at heightened risk and diplomatic efforts continuing amid a mix of naval operations, seizures and cautious dialogue.
