Container Ship Epaminondas Fired Upon and Escorted into Iranian Waters, Strait of Hormuz

The Liberian-flagged cargo ship Epaminondas, owned by Greek interests, was fired upon by an IRGC gunboat and subsequently escorted into Iranian waters on April 22 while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

According to UKMTO, the vessel was approached by one IRGC gunboat that gave no warning before opening fire, causing heavy damage to the bridge. The master reported there was no VHF contact with the attackers prior to the incident. No crew injuries were reported.

Epaminondas was bound for Gujarat, India, having departed Jebel Ali, Dubai. AIS tracking from ShipAtlas showed the vessel transmitted its last position from the Persian Gulf on April 18 before going dark, reappearing in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday morning. The IRGC stated the vessel was seized on grounds of "tampering with navigation systems and jeopardising maritime security."

The attack occurred despite Iran having earlier granted the vessel permission to cross the strait.

Epaminondas is one of two vessels seized by the IRGC in the strait on the same day. A third vessel, Euphoria, was also reported attacked. The vessel's current status in Iranian custody has not been confirmed.