Grenade Attack! Three Cargo Ships Attacked in One Day, Two Detained; Strait of Hormuz on the Brink of Naval Hand-to-Hand Combat

The Strait of Hormuz, the world's most critical energy corridor, has approached the threshold of direct armed confrontation. Armed speedboats of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked three transiting merchant vessels with firearms and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) within a single day, detaining two of them. According to CCTV News on Wednesday, local time on the 22nd, according to Iranian sources, a total of three vessels were intercepted by the IRGC in the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters that day. The report indicated that two ships belonging to Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) were intercepted by the IRGC while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz and failed to pass; another Greek-owned vessel was also intercepted and remains in international waters off the coast of Iran. On April 22, a Liberian-flagged container ship was attacked by IRGC speedboats using firearms and RPGs northeast of Oman, damaging the bridge. Fortunately, all crew members were safe. The ship's captain later stated that no radio warnings had been received prior to the incident, and the vessel had previously been granted permission to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Subsequently, two other container ships—one Panamanian-flagged and one Liberian-flagged—were shot at approximately eight nautical miles west of the Iranian coast. Neither ship sustained damage, and all crew members remained safe. The IRGC claimed it detained two unauthorized vessels. Xinhua, citing a report from Iranian Tasnim News Agency on the 22nd, quoted the IRGC as saying, it detained two vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without authorization. This series of actions occurred after Trump announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire but made it clear that the U.S. naval blockade would continue, demonstrating Tehran's pressure on Washington through concrete actions. The maritime game between the U.S. and Iran has entered a new, dangerous phase. Three Ships Attacked, Two Detained Within a Single Day According to a warning issued by the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO), three independent armed attacks occurred in the Strait of Hormuz on April 22. In the first incident, a Liberian-flagged container ship approaching from northeast of Oman was pursued by IRGC speedboats and subsequently fired upon with firearms and RPGs, resulting in damage to the bridge. According to Reuters quoting maritime security sources, there were three personnel aboard the speedboat. The captain later confirmed that there was no radio contact or any warning before the incident, and the vessel had previously been informed it was granted permission to transit. The second and third incidents occurred approximately eight nautical miles west of the Iranian coast, where two container ships were shot at sequentially while transiting outward through the Strait of Hormuz. One Panamanian-flagged vessel sustained no damage, while the other Liberian-flagged vessel also suffered no damage but stopped in the water. All crew members involved in the three incidents were reported safe. Later that day, the semi-official Iranian Fars News Agency reported that the IRGC had detained the MSC Francesca and the Greek vessel Euphoria, escorting both ships to the Iranian coast. The IRGC statement declared that both vessels had been "braked." According to Bloomberg, the Iranian state television identified the second detained vessel as the Epaminondas. Both vessels are registered in the international shipping database Equasis. Super Tankers Break Through; Iran Tests U.S. Blockade Boundaries On the very same day the gunfire erupted in the strait, Iran tested the actual effectiveness of the U.S. blockade in another manner. According to a previous article by Wall Street CN, shipping analytics firm Vortexa tracked via satellite imagery that two Iranian-flagged Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs)—Hero II and Hedy—had entered the Arabian Sea on April 20. This area is precisely the core blockade zone the U.S. aims to use to disrupt Iranian shipping. Together, the two tankers can carry approximately four million barrels of crude oil. Samir Madani, co-founder of TankerTrackers.com, stated that another Iranian VLCC, Diona, appeared to have turned back after entering the Arabian Sea from the Strait of Hormuz. Vortexa noted that since vessels attempting to evade the U.S. Navy typically switch off their transponders, the company relies on satellite imagery for tracking. The last public location record for Hero II was over a month ago, when it was sailing northbound through the Malacca Strait; Hedy last broadcast its position near Khor Fakkan, UAE, at the end of February. The final destinations of the two cargo batches remain unclear, though the vast majority of Iranian crude exports flow to China. Data from Vortexa shows that since the U.S. blockade began, at least 34 Iranian-related oil and gas tankers have crossed the strait and blockade lines, with 19 heading out of the Persian Gulf and 17 carrying cargo. This data indicates that despite the threat of the U.S. blockade, Iran's exports have not been completely cut off. Blockade vs. Counter-Blockade: A Strategic Deadlock Between the U.S. and Iran The roots of this escalation trace back to late February. According to Bloomberg, following military strikes by the U.S. and Israel, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. Prior to the conflict, this waterway carried approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies daily. Washington's initial strategy was to encourage continued flows of Iranian crude to buyers to curb skyrocketing oil prices. On April 13, the U.S. shifted strategy, imposing a comprehensive blockade on all Iranian shipping. Since then, the U.S. Navy has detained one Iran-related cargo vessel and boarded a sanctioned tanker in waters east of Sri Lanka, expanding the scope of operations while intercepting at least 28 vessels. The U.S. had previously stated it would consider boarding and detaining any sanctioned vessel regardless of location—meaning the two VLCCs already in the Arabian Sea still face the risk of interception. Trump announced on Tuesday an indefinite extension of the ceasefire but made it clear the naval blockade would continue, describing it as a "huge success." However, Iran has characterized the blockade as an act of war. According to Bloomberg, approximately 800 vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) stated this week that it is developing evacuation plans, contingent on de-escalation. Mixed Signals in Negotiations; Progress Uncertain Diplomatically, the situation remains equally murky. Amir-Saeid Iravani, Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations, told reporters, "We have received some signals indicating they are prepared to lift the blockade. Once lifted, I believe the next round of negotiations will be held in Islamabad." He emphasized simultaneously, "If they wish to sit down and discuss seeking a political solution, they will find Iran ready. If they want war, Iran is equally prepared." However, the timetable for the next round of U.S.-Iran negotiations remains unclear. Trump reiterated that he would not extend the ceasefire further, threatening to resume military action if no agreement is reached. Iran has yet to decide whether to participate in talks, with its lawmakers reiterating demands for the lifting of the naval blockade. CCTV News cited sources stating that Iran announced through intermediaries that it would not attend the U.S.-Iran negotiations scheduled for the 22nd. Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President Vance had not yet departed for Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, to participate in the Iran negotiations; he was attending other policy meetings at the White House. Top traders estimate the conflict has reduced global oil supply by approximately one billion barrels, while the ongoing turmoil in the Strait of Hormuz makes resolution prospects increasingly complex. The IRGC's statement that day clearly drew a red line, suggesting the gunpowder smell above the strait will not dissipate in the short term.