Ahmedabad Times

The spokesperson additionally mentioned that “Iran has gone from having probably the most deadly navy within the Center East to now performing like a bunch of pirates, they don’t have management over the strait.” The administration has framed Iran’s actions as “piracy” however not as a breach of the truce.

Trump has additionally signalled he’s in no hurry to conclude negotiations and that the continuing US naval blockade– moderately than direct navy strikes — is exerting adequate stress on Iran. In accordance with the White Home, this technique retains leverage firmly in Washington’s fingers whereas avoiding the political and financial dangers of renewed warfare.

In accordance with The Wall Avenue JournalIran opened hearth on the Greek-owned Epaminondas and the Francesca earlier than escorting each vessels into its waters, whereas one other ship, the Euphoria, was additionally focused and left stranded there. In the meantime, Fox Information anchor Martha MacCallum mentioned that Donald Trump advised her in an interview that claims of a three-to-five-day restrict on the ceasefire extension are incorrect.

What Iran mentioned

Iranian officers, together with negotiators and political leaders, argue that the American naval blockade itself violates the ceasefire and worldwide norms. They describe it as an try and strangle Iran’s economic system and prohibit its sovereignty over maritime entry. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, in an X submit, wrote {that a} significant ceasefire would solely be potential if the US naval blockade ends and what he described as “financial hostage-taking” is halted, together with Israeli navy actions throughout the area. “They didn’t obtain their objectives by way of navy aggression, nor will they by way of bullying. The one approach ahead is to recognise the rights of the Iranian nation,” he added.

An entire ceasefire is significant when the world economic system is just not violated by naval blockade and hostage taking and the Zionist warfare mongering on all fronts is stopped; It’s not potential to reopen the Strait of Hormuz with a flagrant violation of the ceasefire.
They didn’t obtain their objectives with navy aggression, and they won’t obtain them with bullying both. The one approach is to just accept the rights of the Iranian folks.

— Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 22, 2026

Iran has, nonetheless, defended its seizure of vessels as enforcement of its personal guidelines within the strait, accusing ships of working with out authorisation or manipulating navigation methods.

What precisely occurred within the Strait of Hormuz

The newest breaking level concerned a number of industrial vessels, together with the Gujarat-bound Greek-owned Epaminondas and MSC Francesca, which had been reportedly fired upon earlier than being escorted into Iranian waters. A 3rd vessel, Euphoria, was additionally focused however later moved towards UAE waters with out main injury, BBC reported.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy acknowledged that the ships had violated maritime laws and tried to transit the strait covertly. It warned of continued monitoring and “agency motion” towards vessels deemed non-compliant.

These incidents adopted a US operation earlier within the week during which American forces seized an Iranian-flagged container ship accused of violating the blockade, which led to additional escalating actions at sea.