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Latest update on US-Iran war: Iran seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, tightening its control over the strategic waterway after President Donald Trump called off attacks without any sign of resuming peace talks. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said the Revolutionary Guards seized two ships for maritime violations and escorted them to the Iranian coast. It was the first time that Iran seized ships since the war began in late February.
The Revolutionary Guards also warned that any disruption of order and security in the strait would be viewed as a “red line,” Tasnim said. The seized vessels were the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and the Liberian-flagged Epaminondas. The Greek-operated Epaminondas reported coming under fire about 20 nautical miles northwest of Oman and suffering damage to its bridge. Nobody was injured.
How does Iran feel about the ceasefire?
Trump maintained the U.S. Navy’s blockade of Iran’s maritime trade, and Iranian parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said a full ceasefire would only make sense if it was lifted. Reopening the strait would be impossible with such a “flagrant violation of the ceasefire,” Qalibaf said in a post on X.
“You did not achieve your goals through military aggression, and you will not achieve them through bullying. The only way is to recognize the rights of the Iranian people,” he said in his first response to Trump’s ceasefire extension.
What is the status of the ceasefire?
Trump said on social media late Tuesday that the U.S. had agreed to a request from Pakistani mediators to “suspend our attack on the country of Iran until its leaders and representatives can provide a unified proposal.” A source briefed on the matter confirmed Wednesday that Trump had not set a timetable for extending the ceasefire.
In a show of defiance, Iran showcased some of its ballistic weapons at a parade in Tehran on Tuesday evening. Large crowds could be seen on state television waving Iranian flags, and in the background a banner depicting the crossing of the strait with a fist could be seen. The captions read: “Under Iranian control indefinitely” and “Trump could do nothing.”
What role does Pakistan play?
Pakistan, acting as mediator, was still trying to bring the sides together for negotiations after both sides failed to show up for talks on Tuesday ahead of the expiration of the two-week ceasefire. “We were all prepared for the talks, the stage was set,” a Pakistani official told Reuters who was briefed on the preparations. “If you ask me honestly, this was a setback that we did not expect, because the Iranians never refused, they were ready to come and join, and they still do.”
What are the main differences in negotiations?
A first peace talks meeting eleven days ago failed to produce an agreement. Washington wants Iran to give up highly enriched uranium and refrain from further enrichment to prevent it from becoming a weapon. Iran, which says its nuclear program is peaceful, wants to end the war, lift sanctions, pay compensation and recognize its control of the strait.
What is happening in Lebanon?
An Israeli attack killed two people in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, the Lebanese state news agency reported. Hezbollah said it fired an attack drone at Israeli forces in the south, further complicating the ceasefire between the Iran-backed group and Israel. The ceasefire in Lebanon was a prerequisite for Iran’s agreement to talks.
How did the oil markets react?
Oil prices reversed course and rose following Wednesday’s shipping accidents. Brent crude futures rose nearly 4% to $102.2 a barrel.
FAQs: Seizures of Iranian ships
Q: How many ships has Iran seized?
A: Two ships: the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and the Liberian-flagged Epaminondas.
Q: Why were they confiscated?
A: Iran said they were operating without required authorizations and tampering with their navigation systems.
Q: Was anyone injured?
A: No. The Epaminondas suffered damage to its bridge, but no injuries were reported.
Q: Has Trump set a new deadline?
A: No. Trump has not set a timetable for extending the ceasefire.
Q: What did the parade in Iran show?
A: Ballistic weapons and a banner with a fist strangling the strait with the caption “Under Iranian control indefinitely.”
Q: How have oil prices responded?
A: Brent crude oil futures rose nearly 4% to $102.2 a barrel.
Disclaimer: This information is based on input from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by relevant sources.
