IRGC Gunboat Attacks and Seizes Two Commercial Vessels in Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Directs Citizens to Depart Iran as Airspace Partially Reopens
Iranian state-run media IRNA reported that the IRGC Navy seized two foreign-flagged ships, the MSC-FRANCESCA and EPAMINODES
PERSIAN GULF — The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received reports of incidents involving commercial vessels fired upon by vessels identified as IRGC gunboats on April 22.
UKMTO Warning 041-26 reported an attack on a container ship 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman that caused heavy damage to the bridge.
UKMTO Warning 043-26 details an outbound cargo ship fired upon 8 nautical miles west of Iran that is now stopped in the water. Crews in both cases reported safe and accounted for.
Iranian state-run media IRNA reported that the IRGC Navy seized two foreign-flagged ships, the MSC-FRANCESCA and EPAMINODES, for violating navigational rules and endangering maritime safety in the Strait of Hormuz.
These events coincide with the partial reopening of Iranian airspace. The U.S. State Department issued a security alert directing American citizens in Iran to leave immediately.
Americans may depart by land to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, or Turkmenistan. U.S. citizens should not travel to Afghanistan, Iraq, or the Pakistan-Iran border area. Iranian authorities may prevent departures or charge an exit fee. U.S.-Iranian dual nationals must exit on Iranian passports.
Maritime Incident Details and Operational Impact
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