Iran has shown increased control over the Strait of Hormuz through a demonstrative military operation against commercial vessels, after the failure of peace talks with the United States, Reuters reported.
State television in Tehran broadcast footage of armed commandos boarding the container ship MSC Francesca using speedboats and rope ladders. The video also shows footage of another ship, the Epaminondas, which Iran claims was also seized while attempting to pass through the strait without permission.
Iranian authorities have announced that they have already introduced fees for passage through the strategic sea corridor, and according to Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hamidreza Hajibabai, the first revenues have already been received by the central bank. The country's judicial authorities have said that the seized ships are "standing before the law".
Iranian state TV aired footage showing IRGC fast attack boats boarding three international cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, after earlier firing on the vessels, following President Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire extension. pic.twitter.com/48r9sT1vUt
— Moshe Schwartz (@YWNReporter) April 23, 2026The situation is exacerbated by the de facto blockade of the strait, which usually provides transit for about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas. Since the conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel began in February, Tehran has restricted the passage of foreign ships, allowing mainly its own vessels.
Negotiations that were supposed to lead to the opening of the strait failed this week, shortly before the expiration of a two-week truce. Iran has said that it will not resume free navigation until Washington lifts the blockade on Iranian maritime traffic imposed during the truce.
Amid this, high-level reshuffles have taken place in Washington. US Navy Secretary John Phelan was removed from his post after internal disagreements in the Pentagon, including on issues related to shipbuilding and relations with the Secretary of Defense. The decision comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region and active naval operations.
Meanwhile, US naval forces have intercepted and diverted at least three Iranian tankers in Asian waters, industry sources report. President Donald Trump has backed off threats to renew strikes on Iran but has not lifted restrictions.
The tensions are also being felt in markets, with Brent crude rising more than 1.5% to around $103 a barrel amid uncertainty over the biggest energy disruption in modern history.
There is no sign of new talks yet, although Pakistan is in contact with both sides. The situation remains volatile, with the region in a state of "neither peace nor war", according to locals in Tehran.