Iran Seizes Two Ships in Hormuz as Ceasefire Extended

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired on three vessels and seized two in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire while vowing to maintain the naval blockade on Iranian ports. The incident marked a sharp escalation at sea even as political tensions eased on paper.

Attack at Sea

A Liberian-flagged container ship operated by Vanguard Tech sustained what Al Jazeera described as "heavy damage to the bridge" after being struck by rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire. The crew was reported safe with no casualties. The two vessels seized by the IRGC were taken into IRGC custody, according to accounts from CNBC, PBS NewsHour and The Washington Post.

Tehran's position, as outlined by Iranian officials, was that "any passage of ships, vessels or oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz should be with the permission and coordination of the IRGC."

Talks Collapse in Islamabad

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei and the Iranian mission in Egypt confirmed that no Iranian delegation would attend the planned negotiations in Pakistan until the U.S. lifts its blockade. Tehran described its decision as "definitive." A trip by U.S. Vice President JD Vance connected to the Islamabad track was cancelled as the diplomatic channel froze.

Oil Market Reaction

Brent crude spiked back to near $100 per barrel on the news, with multiple outlets reporting a daily rise of roughly three percent. Traders described the day as a reminder that the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global seaborne oil transits, remains the pivotal chokepoint even when Washington and Tehran signal a pause in direct hostilities.

The events marked a direct follow-up to the previous day's ceasefire announcement and underscored the gap between political commitments and conditions on the water.