Iran's Revolutionary Guard Explains Ship Seizure: "Evidence of Cooperation with U.S. Military"

by Lee Sungmin

Published 25 Apr.2026 18:41(KST)

Israeli-Linked Vessel Also Escorted to Iranian Waters

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran announced on April 24 that the seizure of the container ship Epaminondas in the Strait of Hormuz on April 22 (local time) was due to suspicions that the vessel had cooperated with the U.S. military.

The Revolutionary Guard Navy stated that, after monitoring the vessel for the past six months, it was found that the ship had called at 11 U.S. ports a total of 36 times from October 2024 to this past January, unloading 299,000 tons of cargo. They claimed that, during this period, the vessel repeatedly ignored multiple warnings and habitually violated maritime regulations, which led to its seizure.

Container ship Epaminondas seized by Iran. Photo by Yonhap News Agency Revolutionary Guard

They also pointed out that the MSC Francesca, which was seized at the same time, was found to be owned by the Israeli government. The authorities added that both vessels are currently being escorted into Iranian territorial waters, where their cargo and documents are under investigation.

The Revolutionary Guard Navy seized two container ships on April 22: the Liberia-flagged Epaminondas and the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca. Analysts believe this action was retaliation for the U.S. military opening fire on and seizing the Tuska, which was heading to an Iranian port after breaking through a maritime blockade the previous day.