The Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it captured two ships trying to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, local Iranian media reported. 

The IRGC, in a statement carried on Iran’s state-run television under the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), said the ships were “allegedly operating without proper authorisation, repeatedly violating regulations, and manipulating navigation systems, thereby endangering maritime safety while attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz covertly.”

A third vessel was also reportedly targeted by the IRGC and is “now disabled off Iran’s coast.”

There has been no independent confirmation of the seizures but CNN reported that the United Kingdom Maritime Traffic Organisation (UKMTO) confirmed that at least two container ships were hit by gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz.

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This comes amid Donald Trump, the United States president, extending a ceasefire with Iran while maintaining a blockade on its ports. Trump insisted that the US was waiting for a “unified proposal” from the Iranian governenment before taking action.

20 percent of global oil and gas trade passes the Strait of Hormuz. Since its shutdown at the start of the US/Israel-Iran war in March, oil prices have spiked unpredictably, fueling scarcity and inflation across world economies.

Bethel Olujobi reports on trade and maritime business for BusinessDay with prior experience reporting on migration, labour, and tech. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from the University of Jos, and is certified by the FT, Reuters and Google. Drawing from his experience working with other respected news providers, he presents a nuanced and informed perspective on the complexities of critical matters. He is based in Lagos, Nigeria and occasionally commutes to Abuja.

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