Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard seized two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on April 5, 2026, according to Iranian state media, which reported the action as a response to what Tehran described as repeated violations of its territorial waters by foreign-flagged ships.
The Revolutionary Guard’s naval forces intercepted the vessels during routine patrols, boarding and escorting them to Iranian ports for inspection, the semi-official Fars News Agency stated. No crew injuries were reported in the seizures, which occurred amid heightened maritime tensions in the Gulf.
Iranian authorities have not disclosed the names, flags, or cargo details of the seized ships, nor have they specified the alleged infractions that prompted the action. The Revolutionary Guard characterized the operation as a law enforcement measure to uphold national sovereignty and deter illicit activity in strategic waterways.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply transits, remains a flashpoint for regional confrontations. Past incidents involving vessel seizures have typically prompted diplomatic protests from affected nations and calls for de-escalation from international maritime bodies.
As of April 6, 2026, no foreign government has issued an official statement regarding the seizures. The United Nations International Maritime Organization confirmed It’s monitoring the situation but has not received formal requests for intervention from either Iran or the vessels’ presumed flag states.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has not commented on whether diplomatic channels are being used to address the incident. The Revolutionary Guard has not indicated a timeline for the release of the ships or their crews, stating only that investigations are underway.
