Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed on 25/4 that it seized the Liberian-flagged container ship Epaminondas, which was en route to India's Mundra port. The IRGC accused the vessel of "cooperating with the US military".
"According to data, the ship called at 11 different ports in the US a total of 36 times between 10/2024 and 1/2026, unloading approximately 299,000 tons of cargo during this period", the IRGC stated.
The Epaminondas was one of two cargo ships seized by the IRGC navy near Larak Island, east of the Strait of Hormuz, on 22/4. Both vessels were escorted into Iranian territorial waters for cargo and document inspection.
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The Epaminondas in Malaga, Spain, 12/2024. *Photo: Vessel Finder* |
The second ship seized was the Francesca, which the IRGC identified as an Israeli vessel in its 22/4 announcement.
The IRGC previously stated that the Francesca and Epaminondas "had operated without the necessary permits" in Hormuz and repeatedly violated Iranian regulations for the strait. The two ships were also accused of falsifying navigation aid systems and threatening maritime security to covertly cross the strait. This apparently refers to turning off transponders to conceal their actual position on monitoring systems.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic shipping lane, accounting for about 20% of the global oil and gas supply. Iran has effectively blockaded the strait, requiring commercial vessels to obtain permission or pay fees to pass through. It also prohibits vessels linked to the US, Israel, and other parties involved in the conflict.
Meanwhile, the US Navy enforces a blockade outside the Gulf of Oman, warning it will seize any vessel arriving at or departing from Iranian ports, as well as those that have paid fees to Tehran.
Tensions in Hormuz remain high, despite the US extending a ceasefire on 21/4 to facilitate diplomatic efforts. Iran stated its desire to continue peace negotiations but will not participate in dialogue if the US maintains hostile actions, such as blockading Iranian seaports.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on the same day that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, would depart for Pakistan on the morning of 25/4 to participate in negotiations with Iranian representatives. However, Iran later announced it would not directly meet with the US delegation in the upcoming Pakistan-mediated negotiations.
"No meetings between Iran and the US are planned. Iran's position will be communicated through Pakistan", Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, wrote in a social media post hours after Leavitt's announcement.
Nhu Tam (According to Press TV, Tasnim)
