Iran seizes India-bound container ship near Hormuz

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized the container ship EPAMINONDAS in the Strait of Hormuz today. The vessel was en route from Southeast Asia to Gujarat, India. (ndtv.com) The Strait of Hormuz is a 21-mile-wide waterway between Iran and Oman through which 20% of the world's oil passes daily. Ships transiting here must navigate tense waters monitored by Iranian forces. (eia.gov) IRGC naval forces boarded the EPAMINONDAS early this morning using fast attack craft. They diverted the vessel to an undisclosed location, per maritime tracking data. (marinetraffic.com) This seizure is the second in 24 hours; a Greek-owned tanker, MINERVA ANNA, was detained yesterday for allegedly violating port entry rules. Both ships carry unrelated cargo unrelated to oil. (reuters.com) The IRGC stated the EPAMINONDAS disrupted port traffic near Bandar Abbas, prompting the action. Shipping insurers have issued alerts for potential delays in the region. (lloydslist.com) India's Ministry of External Affairs is seeking clarification from Iran through diplomatic channels. Local Gujarat authorities report no disruptions to expected cargo yet. (mea.gov.in) The incident heightens concerns over the chokepoint's stability amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions and Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping. Global freight rates have risen 15% since January. (bloomberg.com) Iran has seized over 20 foreign vessels since 2019, often citing navigation violations or sanctions breaches. Most are released after negotiations or fines. (cfr.org)