Iranian soldiers were pictured storming a ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday as fears of a new escalation in the Middle East grow. Footage released by the Tasnim news agency showed soldiersboarding the MSC Francesca and Epaminondasin the vital shipping route on Wednesday.
Men wearing balaclavas can be seen approaching the vessels in their own small boat before climbing up the ladders and storming the ship with weapons. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said the ships were transferred to Iran's coast after "disrupting order and safety in theStrait of Hormuz is considered a red line for Iran".
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The first attack involved the Greek-flagged Epaminodas, 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman. An IRGC "gun boat" opened fire on the ship, causing heavy damage to the vessel's bridge, the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) reported.
Nour News, affiliated with Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said the Epaminondas "ignored warnings" from the country's armed forces before an IRGC "gun boat" opened fire on it.
The Panama-flagged MSC Francesca was hit roughly six nautical miles off Iran while heading into the Gulf of Oman, Vanguard told theBBC. It sustained "damage to the hull and accommodation".
There was also a third attack on Wednesday, involving the Panama-flagged Euphoria, which was targeted eight nautical miles west of Iran, the UKMTO said.
The crew are safe and accounted for, and no damage has been reported to the ship, which is owned by a UAE-based company.
Iran earlier threatenedto launch devastating strikes on US shipsas peace talks are on the verge of collapse.
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
