Strait of Hormuz tensions rise as Iran seizes two ships amid US blockade

Iran fired on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. Iran seized two of the ships and began escorting both towards Iran. The incidents raised fresh concern for shipping in a vital global energy route. The action came a day after Donald Trump extended a ceasefire. The US blockade of Iranian ports stayed in place.

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Iranian media said the Revolutionary Guard took control of the MSC Francesca and the Epaminodes. The owners of both ships could not be reached for comment. The Strait of Hormuz handles about 20 per cent of the world’s oil. The standoff over the strait and the US blockade also raised doubts over talks. It was unclear when talks could restart.

Strait of Hormuz attacks and shipping risk

Iranian media also reported an attack on a third ship, identified as the Euphoria. The report said the vessel had become stranded on the Iranian coast. No further details were given in those reports. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre also described attacks. It said a Revolutionary Guard gunboat fired at a container ship. The bridge suffered heavy damage.

The UK centre said a second cargo ship came under fire hours later. It reported no damage in that later incident. The vessel was then stopped in the water after the shooting. There were no reports of injuries to crews from either ship. The attacks added to a wider pattern of maritime violence in the region. More than 30 ship attacks were reported since February 28.

The ceasefire halted American and Israeli airstrikes in Iran. Tehran’s missiles also stopped targeting Israel and the wider Middle East. However, the new ship attacks, and earlier US seizures, showed the maritime risk remained. Without a diplomatic deal, ship operators may avoid the passage. That could tighten energy supplies and disrupt trade beyond the region.

Strait of Hormuz oil prices and economic impact

Brent crude oil jumped to nearly USD 100 a barrel after Wednesday’s incidents. That was more than 35 per cent higher than when the war began. The conflict already pushed fuel prices far above the region. Food and other goods also cost more in many places. Analysts warn impacts will deepen if the route stays closed. Recovery could also take longer.

EU energy commissioner Dan Jørgensen warned of lasting effects for households and firms. Dan Jørgensen compared the disruption to major energy shocks of past decades. Dan Jørgensen said the war is costing Europe around 500 million euros USD 600 million each day. The figures highlighted how shipping disruption can spread quickly. The strait links the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.

Strait of Hormuz ceasefire talks and US blockade

Iran’s leaders appeared ready to press US negotiators hard. Donald Trump said the US would extend the ceasefire indefinitely. The ceasefire had been due to expire on Wednesday. Washington said it was awaiting a new proposal from Tehran. Iran linked any delegation to Pakistan with an end to the blockade. Talks were expected in Pakistan earlier.

Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, the head of the Iranian mission in Egypt, told The Associated Press that no delegation would go to Pakistan until the US lifts its blockade. Two Pakistani officials said Islamabad was still waiting for Tehran’s timeline. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity. They said they were not authorised to speak publicly. The delay added to uncertainty across regional markets.

In Tehran, residents questioned how stable the ceasefire really was. "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.\" Hard-line rallies the previous night showed missiles and launchers. Iranian media described it as defiance.

Strait of Hormuz conflict and Lebanon developments

In a separate development, Emmanuel Macron said a French peacekeeper died in Lebanon. The peacekeeper had been wounded in an attack over the weekend. Another French peacekeeper was killed in the same attack on Saturday. The force came under small arms fire in southern Lebanon. Macron blamed Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. Hezbollah denied involvement in the attack.

Lebanon’s National News Agency said an Israeli drone hit Jabbour village. The report said one person was killed and two were wounded. Israel’s military denied it attacked the area. A 10-day ceasefire began in Lebanon on Friday. Even so, several Israeli strikes were reported. Hezbollah also claimed its first attack on Tuesday.

Authorities said at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran since the war began. More than 2,290 deaths were reported in Lebanon, while Israel reported 23 deaths. More than a dozen people died in Gulf Arab states, according to the report. It also said 15 Israeli soldiers in Lebanon were killed. The report said 13 US service members were killed.

The latest Strait of Hormuz incidents left diplomacy uncertain and trade under strain. Iran’s ship seizures and gunfire added pressure on shipping firms and insurers. The US blockade remained central to the dispute over negotiations. Oil prices rose sharply as energy supplies looked more at risk. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s ceasefire faced continued accusations and denials. The wider toll figures underlined the conflict’s heavy cost.

With inputs from PTI