Iran Releases Video of Ship Seizure in Strait of Hormuz, Masked Troops Board by Ladder

Video still shows Iranian soldiers involved in the seizure of the container ships MSC Francesca and Epaminondas in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state TV aired the footage on the 22nd. [Photo=IRIB·Reuters·Yonhap]

As tensions rose after a second round of cease-fire talks between the United States and Iran collapsed, Iran released video showing its forces detaining ships in the Strait of Hormuz, stepping up a public messaging campaign.

ABC News reported on the 22nd (local time) that Iranian state television aired footage showing Iranian forces approaching and taking control of a commercial vessel.

The video shows masked troops carrying rifles speeding toward a ship in fast boats, then climbing a ladder to board the deck.

In a statement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had secured two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and moved them into Iranian territorial waters.

The IRGC claimed the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and the Liberia-flagged Epaminondas tried to leave the strait without Iran’s permission. It said it plans to inspect the ships’ cargo and related documents.

The IRGC said it would “continuously monitor” any actions that obstruct Iran’s enforcement of laws governing passage through the “strategic waterway” or run counter to safe navigation, and would take “firm and legal measures” against violations.

The detentions came after U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally declared an extension of a “two-week truce” with Iran, one day before it was set to expire.

Iran has continued shows of force in the Strait of Hormuz in response to the United States’ stance that it will maintain a maritime blockade.

* This article has been translated by AI.

Hwang Jin Hyun