Two cargo ships have been targeted in separate incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incidents come as tensions in the region escalated following US President Donald Trump's decision to extend the ceasefire with Iran. According to UKMTO, one vessel reported being fired on roughly eight nautical miles off the coast of Iran at around 8:30 am London time. Authorities noted “high levels of activity” in the area, but confirmed the crew is safe and the ship sustained no damage. In a separate incident earlier in the morning, a container ship was reportedly approached by an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gunboat. The UKMTO said the vessel opened fire, causing “heavy damage” to the ship’s bridge. All crew members were reported safe. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy later said it had seized two vessels for alleged maritime violations and transferred them to Iranian territory, according to state media. The incidents follow President Trump’s announcement that the US will extend its ceasefire with Iran to allow time for Tehran to submit a “unified proposal.”
President Donald Trump all but declared April 17 as V-I Day, for Victory over Iran. But hold off on the parade. “IRAN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN,” he wrote on Truth Social. That’s also what the April 8 U.S. cease-fire was supposed to allow.
