IRGC Seizes Multiple Vessels in Strait of Hormuz Amid Trump’s Ceasefire Extension and Diplomatic Tension

in an official statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force confirmed it identified and stopped the two violating ships this morning, explicitly labeling the MSC Francesca as belonging to the Zionist regime. The IRGC further alleged that the Epaminondas was engaged in tampering with navigation systems and jeopardizing maritime security. Issuing a stern directive, the Guards warned against any actions that defy regulations imposed by the Islamic Republic or activities contrary to safe passage through the waterway. The IRGC Navy underscored its administrative stance by declaring that disrupting order and safety in the Strait of Hormuz is considered a red line for Iran.

This aggressive naval confrontation surfaced just hours after United States President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of a temporary ceasefire. Speaking in an interview with CNBC, Trump issued a direct appeal for a diplomatic breakthrough, suggesting that Iran could secure a prosperous future and a complete transformation of its circumstances through a new agreement. Trump remarked that Iran could put themselves on a very good footing if they make a deal, urging the Iranian government to adopt a pragmatic strategy rooted in reason and common sense to elevate themselves into a great country, even as the U.S. maintains a naval blockade.

The American gesture was met with immediate skepticism and criticism in Tehran. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denounced the United States for hypocritical and contradictory behavior, stating in a post on X that while the Islamic Republic has always welcomed dialogue, bad faith, sieges, and threats remains the primary obstacles to genuine negotiation. While the New York Post reported that Trump views a new round of talks as possible within a 36 to 72-hour window, the diplomatic path forward remains clouded. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei stated that Tehran has not yet reached a final decision on participating in the upcoming round of mediated discussions, leaving the international community on edge as military force and fragile diplomacy collid