Intro: Iran has demonstrated its growing control over the Hormuz by releasing dramatic footage of commandos seizing cargo ships, following the breakdown of crucial peace negotiations with the US
Dubai
Iran state television aired striking visuals showing masked Iranian forces boarding a large cargo vessel, identified as the MSC Francesca.
The footage captured commandos arriving in speedboats, scaling the ship’s hull using rope ladders, and entering with weapons drawn.
The video, styled with an action-film soundtrack and lacking commentary, also showed another vessel, the Epaminondas, which Iran claimed to have seized for allegedly attempting to cross the strait without proper authorization.
Iranian officials stated that both ships were detained as part of newly enforced maritime regulations.
Vice-Speaker Hamidreza Hajibabaei announced that Iran had begun collecting tolls from vessels using the strait, with initial revenues already transferred to the Central Bank. However, he did not disclose details about the payments or the parties involved. Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei asserted that the targeted ships had faced the law, signaling a firm stance on enforcement.
The developments come after the collapse of peace talks that had aimed to reopen the vital shipping route, through which nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies typically pass. Iran has effectively restricted access to the strait since February, when conflict escalated involving the United States and Israel. Tehran has insisted it will not reopen the route until Washington lifts its blockade on Iranian shipping, which it considers a violation of the ceasefire.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump refrained from resuming military action at the end of the ceasefire but has not agreed to lift the blockade, leaving the situation unresolved.
Residents in Tehran described a tense atmosphere, with uncertainty over potential renewed conflict. Despite the breakdown in talks, Pakistan, which had hosted earlier negotiations, remains engaged with both sides in an effort to revive diplomatic efforts and prevent further escalation.
