Strait of Hormuz shipping disruption as Iran seizes two vessels amid US blockade

Iran fired on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday and seized two vessels, Iranian media reported. The new incidents tightened pressure on shipping in the key route. The attacks followed a ceasefire extension by US President Donald Trump. The extension kept an American blockade of Iranian ports in place.

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The US-Iran standoff has almost halted exports through the strait. About 20 per cent of the world’s traded oil passes there in peacetime. Iranian media said the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was taking two ships to Iran. The disruption has already lifted fuel costs sharply and raised prices for food and other goods.

Strait of Hormuz attacks and seized ships

Iranian media said the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas were being escorted to Iran. Technomar, which manages the Liberian-registered Epaminondas, said a manned gunboat approached and opened fire off Oman. Technomar said the ship’s bridge was damaged. No crew injuries were reported on either vessel.

A second cargo ship was shot at hours later and later stopped in the water. There were no reports of damage from that attack. The Guard also struck a third ship, the Euphoria, Iranian media said. Iranian media reported the Euphoria had become stranded on the Iranian coast. The reports gave no further details.

The MSC Francesca’s owner could not be immediately reached for comment. The US had earlier seized two Iranian vessels as ceasefire talks were due in Pakistan. Iranian coverage described the latest seizures as an escalation. The maritime confrontation continued despite the ceasefire pause in air attacks.

Strait of Hormuz impact on oil prices and Europe

Brent crude oil climbed above USD 100 per barrel, the report said. That level marked a 35 per cent rise from prewar prices. Gas prices jumped far beyond the region, affecting other items too. Stock markets still appeared to absorb the shock. The wider trade impact remained uncertain.

EU energy commissioner Dan Jørgensen warned the effects could last for consumers and firms. Dan Jørgensen compared the moment to major energy shocks over 50 years. Dan Jørgensen said the disruption cost Europe around 500 million euros, or USD 600 million, each day. The strait closure risk added fresh strain.

Strait of Hormuz blockade and tanker movements

Vortexa tracked tanker activity after the US blockade began on April 13. The firm recorded 34 movements of sanctioned and Iranian-linked tankers in one week. Vortexa counted 19 outbound and 15 inbound trips. Six outbound movements carried Iranian crude, totalling about 10.7 million barrels, Vortexa said by email.

It was not clear if all those barrels reached overseas markets. Analysts said Iran’s control near the strait gave a strong strategic edge. The route links the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. The ceasefire halted US and Israeli air strikes in Iran. Tehran’s missiles also stopped targeting Israel and the region.

Strait of Hormuz ceasefire talks and Iran’s stance

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told state TV that Iran had not decided on fresh talks. The new round was scheduled for later this week. Esmail Baghaei accused the United States of weak commitment and poor faith. Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour earlier told The Associated Press no team would go to Pakistan until the blockade ends.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker, linked a full ceasefire to the blockade. "Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is impossible with such flagrant breach of the ceasefire,\" Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf wrote on X. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf met US Vice President JD Vance in Pakistan earlier this month.

In Tehran, residents described confusion about what comes next. \"We should know where we stand. Is it going to be a ceasefire, peace, or the war is going to continue?\" said Mashallah Mohammad Sadegh, 59. \"The way things currently are, one doesnt know what to do.\"

Strait of Hormuz war spillover and Lebanon strikes

In southern Lebanon, local authorities said three Israeli strikes killed at least five people. Others were wounded, local authorities said. Israel denied carrying out one strike and did not comment on the others. Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors were preparing to meet in Washington on Thursday. The talks aimed to extend a ceasefire that began on Friday.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said an Israeli drone hit Jabbour. The report said one person died and two were wounded. Israel’s military denied attacking that area. Lebanon’s health ministry said two strikes on al-Tiri killed two people. The ministry said one journalist was injured.

Amal Khalil, a journalist for daily Al-Akhbar, was missing after reports of fire near an ambulance. The reports said a search team could not reach the area. Israel’s military said individuals in the village violated the ceasefire. Israel’s military denied blocking rescue teams. Israel’s military also denied targeting journalists.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said a separate strike on Yohmor killed two people and injured two others. Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel from Lebanon after the wider war began. Israel responded with heavy strikes and a ground invasion. The 10-day ceasefire that started Friday saw several Israeli strikes. Hezbollah claimed its first attack on Tuesday.

French President Emmanuel Macron said a French peacekeeper later died from weekend wounds in Lebanon. Another French peacekeeper was killed in the Saturday attack, Macron said. The force came under small-arms fire in southern Lebanon. Macron blamed Hezbollah for the attack. Hezbollah denied any role in the incident.

Authorities said at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran since the war started. More than 2,290 people have been killed in Lebanon, the report said. Israel recorded 23 deaths, and Gulf Arab states recorded more than a dozen deaths. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon and 13 U.S. service members were also killed.

The shipping clashes in the Strait of Hormuz showed the ceasefire did not end all pressure points. With the blockade still in place, ships may avoid the route. That risk kept energy markets on edge and increased costs across supply chains. Officials in Iran and the US gave no clear timeline for restarting talks.

With inputs from PTI