IRGC seizes Israeli vessel among two ships in the Strait of Hormuz

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy on Wednesday said it had intercepted and seized two vessels for having committed violations in the Strait of Hormuz and transferred them to Iranian territorial waters.

The IRGC Navy has seized two vessels and transferred them to Iran’s coast, stating that “disrupting order and safety in the Strait of Hormuz is considered a red line for Iran”.

One vessel was shot at off the coast of Iran, while another sustained damage after coming under attack off Oman’s coast.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the IRGC identified the vessels as the MSC-Francesca, which it said belongs to the Israeli regime, and the Epaminodes.

The vessels, it said, were operating without authorization, committing repeated violations, tampering with navigation aid systems, and endangering maritime security in an attempt to exit the strait covertly.

“With the intelligence dominance of the forces, these vessels were identified and stopped in order to uphold the rights of the noble Iranian nation in the Strait of Hormuz,” the IRGC Navy said.

It added that the vessels have now been transferred to Iranian territorial waters for inspection of their cargo and documents.

The IRGC Navy reiterated that any attempt to disrupt the implementation of laws announced by Iran for transit through the Strait of Hormuz, or any activity inconsistent with safe passage through this strategic waterway, will be continuously monitored and met with decisive and legal action against violators.

IRGC previously said that any passage of ships, vessels, or oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz should be with the permission and coordination of IRGC.