According to the Fars news agency, the targeted ships are “MSC Francesca” and “Epaminondas,” both belonging to the global shipping company MSC. The incident occurred as they attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The agency reported that the operation caused the ships to veer off course and halt due to navigation and licensing violations. Additionally, it mentioned a separate incident involving a Greek-owned ship named “Euphoria,” which is now anchored off the Iranian coast.
US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday evening that the US would hold off on attacking Iran until Iran presents its proposal and discussions conclude one way or another. Trump, on the “Truth Social” platform, stated: “Given the sharp division within the Iranian government, which was anticipated, and at the request of Marshal Asim Munir and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, we have been asked to suspend our attack on Iran until its leaders and representatives offer a unified proposal.”
The US President also declared the continuation of the naval blockade on Iranian ports, despite Washington agreeing to delay strikes on Iran. Trump wrote on “Truth Social”: “I have issued directives to our armed forces.”
On April 8th, Iran and the United States reached an agreement for a two-week ceasefire following a military escalation lasting about 40 days, which included extensive attacks on sites within Iran resulting in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, several senior officials, and approximately 3,500 people. Iran retaliated with missile strikes and drone attacks targeting Israel and US military installations in the Middle East.
On April 11th, talks were held in Islamabad to reach a permanent ceasefire and settle the conflict, but these ended without significant results amid disagreements over Tehran’s desire to control the Strait of Hormuz and its refusal to relinquish its stockpile of enriched uranium. Consequently, on April 13th, Washington announced a naval blockade on Iranian ports on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of the world’s shipments of oil, derivatives, and liquefied natural gas pass.
