Iran seizes India-bound ship; video shows masked men climbing vessel

Iran seizes India-bound ship; video shows masked men climbing vessel

Iran has released a video showing the seizure of two merchant ships, including one bound for India, in the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident occurred on Wednesday when Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy took control of Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and Liberia-flagged Epaminondas.

The latter was headed to Mundra Port in Gujarat from Dubai.

Ships tampering with Iran's navigation systems: IRGC

The video, aired by Iranian state television, shows armed personnel boarding the ships.

The IRGC alleged that both vessels were operating without permission and tampering with Iran's navigation systems.

The Epaminondas was reportedly fired upon 20 nautical miles northwest of Oman, suffering damage to its bridge from gunfire and grenades launched from an IRGC gunboat.

Other vessels also fired upon during incident

The MSC Francesca was attacked eight nautical miles off the coast of Iran but didn't suffer damage. Its crew remained safe during the incident, reports said.

A third Liberia-flagged vessel, Euphoria, was also fired upon in the same area but continued its journey to Fujairah without any damage, Reuters reported.

All crew members safe, says Montenegro minister

Montenegro's minister confirmed that four Montenegrin seafarers were aboard the MSC Francesca and all crew members are safe.

"Negotiations between the shipping company and the Iranian side are ongoing," said Filip Radulovic, Montenegro's minister of maritime affairs.

Iran and the United States' actions have drastically reduced traffic through the strait, which usually sees around 130 vessels daily. That number has dropped to a handful per day.