Iran attacks three ships in the Strait of Hormuz amid extension of ceasefire
發佈日期: 2026-04-23 20:10
TVB News
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked three ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday before seizing two of the vessels.
This as sources indicated US forces intercepted at least three Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters.
Addressing the turbulent situation's effects on the global economy, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the responsibility for the instability lies with the invaders.
Iranian state media released footage on Thursday of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel seizing two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran said the ships did not receive permission to traverse the waterway, with one of the vessels reportedly flying the flag of Panama.
Another of the attacked vessels was a Greek-owned ship flying the Liberian flag.
The Greek foreign ministry subsequently confirmed a number of Greek ships have been fired upon in the strait.
As of now, two of the container ships have been brought to Iranian ports with local authorities currently performing checks on their cargo and documents.
Iran noted that one of the vessels has ties with Israel.
The incident marked the first occasion of Iran seizing vessels in the war, signalling a renewal of tension in the critical waterway.
According to the International Maritime Organisation, around 20,000 seamen and some 2,000 vessels have been stranded since the shutdown of the strait.
This as a report from Reuters indicated US forces had intercepted at least three Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters in recent days -- two of which appeared near Malaysia and the remaining one near South India.
The US Central Command announced on Wednesday the US military has ordered at least 31 vessels to turn back or return to their respective ports since Washington began blockading the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking earlier with Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasised the current situation in the strait was a direct result of the US and Israel's attacks on Iran, adding the invading forces should bear responsibility for the war's consequences on the global economy.
Meanwhile, addressing concerns about a deadline for the extended ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the date has not been set.
There's obviously a lot of internal division (in Iran).This is a battle between pragmatists and the hardliners in Iran right now, and the president wants a unified response.
But Operation "Economic Fury" continues, and the effective and successful naval blockade continues as well.
We are completely strangling their economy through this blockade.
So, the president is satisfied with that as we await their response.
We will see, the president has not set a firm deadline.
