Iran releases dramatic video of Hormuz seizure: How masked commandos stormed India-bound vessel | WATCH- Moneycontrol.com
Iran has released a high-impact video showing how its forces intercepted and seized two merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including one that was headed to India, a day after the operation drew global attention.
The footage, circulated by Iranian state-linked channels, shows armed commandos from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps approaching the ships in fast attack boats. The visuals capture masked personnel climbing aboard using ladders, securing the decks, and moving through key sections of the vessels with weapons drawn.
The two ships targeted in the operation were the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and the Liberia-flagged Epaminondas. The latter was en route to Mundra Port in Gujarat from Dubai at the time of the interception. Both vessels were later escorted towards Iranian waters.
The video also shows troops conducting onboard searches, including inside the engine room. In the case of the Epaminondas, the ship's bridge sustained damage after Iranian forces opened fire during the takeover. No injuries among crew members have been reported.
Iran has justified the action by alleging that the ships were operating without the "required authorisation" and had "manipulated navigation systems," posing a threat to maritime safety. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also reiterated that any activity disrupting "order" in the Strait of Hormuz would be treated as a red line.
The seizure comes amid heightened tensions in the region despite the recent extension of a ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump. It also follows earlier operations by US forces targeting Iranian-linked vessels accused of breaching a naval blockade in the same waters.
US officials have suggested that such Iranian actions are being carried out by what is often referred to as a "mosquito fleet," consisting of small, agile boats that can quickly surround and overwhelm larger commercial ships.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical maritime corridors, handling a significant share of global oil and gas shipments. Any escalation in this narrow passage raises concerns over trade disruption, energy security, and broader regional stability.
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