El Ciudadano
Original article: Tensión en Ormuz: Irán intercepta dos buques, uno de ellos vinculado a Israel
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced on Wednesday that it intercepted two vessels, one of which is linked to Israel, in the Strait of Hormuz, stating they «posed a threat to maritime security» and were navigating in the area «without authorization» amid escalating tensions in this strategic waterway, following the United States (U.S.) and Israel’s conflict with the Islamic nation.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy stated in a press release that it identified and stopped the two violating vessels in Iranian territorial waters of the Strait of Hormuz, as part of its ongoing security operations.
The ships were identified as the ‘MSC-Francesca’—linked to Israel—and the ‘Epaminodes’.
«Both vessels were operating without authorization, repeatedly violating regulations and manipulating navigation aid systems in ways that jeopardized maritime safety,» the Iranian institution asserted.
Subsequently, the two vessels were moved to Iranian territorial waters for inspections of their cargo, documentation, and related records.
The statement, reported by the news agency Tasnim, indicated that the vessels were attempting to secretly exit the Strait of Hormuz when they were detected and intercepted by IRGC Navy units, as part of Iran’s protection of its rights in this strategic route through which 20% of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas is transported.
The IRGC Navy warned that any attempts to violate the regulations set by Iran for transit through the Strait of Hormuz, or to engage in activities contrary to safe navigation in this strategic route, will be met with firm legal action following a thorough monitoring and evaluation process.
It is important to note that Iranian authorities announced on April 17 that they were lifting restrictions on traffic in the area, following confirmation of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement of Lebanon (Hezbollah) that established a 10-day halt to hostilities.
The Persian nation clarified that only non-military vessels would be allowed to transit designated routes and would require authorization from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (CGRI).
Iran Demands End to U.S. Blockade Before Resuming Negotiations
While U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Iran’s decision, he indicated that U.S. naval forces would maintain a blockade of the route. This prompted Tehran to announce that it would reimpose traffic restrictions in Hormuz.
The measure from the occupant of the White House, combined with the recent assault and seizure by the U.S. of the Iranian ship ‘Tosca’ in the Gulf of Oman—an act described by the Islamic nation as “piracy”—has been part of the reasons cited by Tehran for not attending talks in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, and refusing to continue dialogue with Washington.
“As of now, we have no plans for the next round of negotiations, nor has any decision been made in this regard,” stated the spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Esmail Baqai, during a press conference.
“The U.S., by adopting contradictory positions and repeatedly violating the terms of the ceasefire, demonstrates a lack of commitment to the diplomatic process,” he remarked, while recalling that “in less than nine months, Washington has attacked Iran’s integrity twice, during negotiations, violating international law, causing the martyrdom of dignitaries and civilians, and damaging national assets.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s permanent representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, made it clear that the next round of negotiations in Islamabad could take place as soon as the Trump administration ends the naval blockade against the Persian nation.
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