IRGC Seizes Two Cargo Ships in Strait of Hormuz — MSC Francesca and Epaminondas

Hours after Trump's ceasefire extension was announced, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy seized two cargo vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on April 22 in what appeared to be a direct retaliation for the USS Spruance's seizure of the MV Touska on April 20. The IRGC confirmed boarding and seizing the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas, transferring both to Iranian territorial waters 'to examine cargo and documents.' Iranian officials claimed both vessels had operated without required authorization and had tampered with navigation systems. Iranian state media also claimed the MSC Francesca had links to Israel. The seizures sent Brent crude spiking intraday toward $99-100/bbl before pulling back slightly after the ceasefire extension was digested by markets. Iran's FM Araghchi said Iran 'knows how to neutralize restrictions, how to defend its interests, and how to resist bullying,' calling the US naval blockade 'an act of war.' The dual ship seizures raised the specter of tit-for-tat maritime escalation and further complicated the path to resumed negotiations.