A day after seizing two merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran released dramatic footage showing how masked commandos carried out the operation, pursuing the ships in speedboats, boarding them, and eventually taking control. The visuals, resembling a high-intensity action sequence, were widely seen as a show of force amid the ongoing conflict and rising maritime tensions.
The two vessels identified were MSC Francesca, flagged under Panama, and Epaminondas, flagged under Liberia. The Epaminondas was particularly significant as it was en route to Mundra Port in Gujarat from Dubai, making the incident directly relevant to India’s trade routes. Both ships were intercepted and taken towards Iranian waters, marking one of the first such seizures by Tehran since the escalation of the conflict.
The footage shows Iranian troops approaching in small, fast-moving boats, often described by US officials as part of Iran’s “mosquito fleet” — a network of agile, difficult-to-track vessels operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Armed commandos are then seen climbing ladders onto the ships, securing control with rifles, and conducting searches. On board the Epaminondas, personnel were filmed entering the engine room and inspecting key areas, while also taking positions on the deck.
During the operation, the Epaminondas reportedly sustained damage to its bridge after Iranian forces opened fire and used grenades while approaching. Despite the intensity of the assault, no crew members were reported injured. The MSC Francesca, located a few miles off Iran’s coast, also came under heavy fire before being seized.
Iran justified the action by claiming that the vessels lacked required authorisation and had manipulated navigation systems, which it said posed a threat to maritime safety in the region. Authorities also warned that any disruption to the “order” of the strait would be treated as a red line, reinforcing Tehran’s position over control of the critical waterway.
The seizures appear to be a retaliatory move following recent US actions, where American forces boarded and seized Iranian-linked vessels accused of attempting to bypass the naval blockade. This back-and-forth escalation has turned the Strait of Hormuz into a central flashpoint, with both sides using maritime operations to assert dominance.
The targeting of a ship bound for India has added another layer of complexity to the situation. It comes shortly after earlier incidents in which Indian vessels Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald were also attacked, prompting India to raise concerns and formally engage with Iranian authorities. These developments are particularly sensitive given prior assurances from Iran that vessels from certain countries, including India, would not be targeted.
The episode has also intensified questions about internal power dynamics within Iran. Reports suggest that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which operates independently and reports directly to the Supreme Leader, may be playing a decisive role in such military actions, potentially overshadowing the civilian leadership.
