Iran releases propaganda footage of their troops seizing two ships as a warning to Trump over who controls the Strait of Hormuz as peace talks grasp within the steadiness

Tehran has released a propaganda video showing their troops seizing two ships in an effort to show the world – and Donald Trump – who really controls the Strait of Hormuz.

Dramatic footage shows masked fighters from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) approach the container ships in speed boats, before entering them via rope ladders.

The soldiers, armed with machine guns, proceed to take control of the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and the Greek-flagged Epaminondas, whose crews appear to have been evacuated.

In a statement, the IRGC accused the vessels of ‘tampering with navigation systems and jeopardising maritime security’, as well as ‘operating without authorisation’ in the strait.

It comes as peace talks between Washington and Tehran appear to have reached a stalemate, as the two adversaries continue to come to blows over the future of the vital waterway through which 20 per cent of the world’s gas and oil usually flows.

Wednesday saw the regime attack three vessels in the Hormuz Strait – the Francesca, the Epaminondas, and the Panama-flagged Euphoria – in retaliation for the US intercepting an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf as part of its naval blockade.

Tehran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has insisted it is ‘not possible’ to reopen the crucial oil passage because of ‘flagrant’ breaches of the ceasefire by the US and Israel.

And after extending the ceasefire on Tuesday night, Trump admitted there was ‘no time frame’ for ending the war with Iran – causing frustration to mount among Republicans and the country at large for the conflict that shows no sign of abating.

‘The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships,’ the Guards claimed in a statement yesterday.

‘The two offending ships… were seized by the IRGC’s naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast.’

The Guards further warned against any action against the regulations imposed by the Islamic republic in the strait, ‘as well as activities contrary to the safe passage’ through the waterway.

Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave of enter the Gulf through Hormuz, and imposed a $1 per barrel tax on oil and oil products – or $2 million for a large tanker.

The navy said the allegedly seized ships were transferred to the territorial waters of Iran for ‘inspection of their cargo, documents, and records’. 

Footage shows the fighters searching the interior of the ships, unlocking compartments, and aiming their guns in the air while standing on deck.  

The first ship to be targetted yesterday was the Epaminondas, 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) said an IRGC ‘gun boat’ fired on the container ship and caused heavy damage to its bridge, without giving any prior radio warnings.

Despite video footage purportedly showing the seizure of the vessel, the Greek Ministry of Shipping denied that the boat was boarded by Iranian fighters and insisted all crew members were safe.  

The second ship to be struck was the Euphoria, which began transiting the strait at 1.10am UTC (2.10am BST), with Jeddah, Saudi Arabia listed as its destination. 

The vessel, owned by a UAE-based company, came under fire eight nautical miles west of Iran at 6.38am UTC (7.38am BST). The ship’s master brought the boat to a halt. 

The third ship to be attacked was the MSC Francesca, around six nautical miles off the coast of Iran while it was heading south out of the strait and into the Gulf of Oman.

The vessel has reported ‘damage to the hull and accommodation’.

Iran said the ship belonged ‘to the Zionist regime’ in reference to Israel.

Oil prices surged on Thursday following the Iranian attack on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent, the global benchmark for crude, is hovering around $103 (£76.35) a barrel, while US-traded oil soared above $94. 

While Pakistan continues to prepare for a second round of peace talks, there is yet to be any confirmation from either the US or Iran of attending. 

Vice President JD Vance, who was due to be leading Washington’s delegation, remains in the US.

But as peace talks approach collapse, the White House continues to insist that it is still in control.

In a press conference, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: ‘We are completely strangling their economy through this blockade. 

‘They are losing $500m a day. The Kharg Island is completely full. They can’t move oil in and out. They can’t even pay their own people as a result of this economic leverage that President Trump has inflicted over them.’

Since the American blockade of Iranian ports began, US Central Command says it has ‘directed 31 vessels to turn around or return to port’.

It said most of the vessels were oil tankers and had ‘complied with US directions’.

While Leavitt says Trump is ‘satisfied’ with the blockade, which she described as ‘effective and successful’, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said it is one of the ‘main obstacles’ to ‘genuine negotiations’ with the US.

The attacks follow a sudden reversal in the Iranian stance over the weekend, as the Iranian foreign minister announced Friday that the strait was open, only to be contradicted the next day by the Revolutionary Guard. 

Six cruise ships stuck in the Persian Gulf since late February took advantage of the narrow window and slipped through the strait. But since then, traffic has dried up.

The resumption of attacks reflects in part ‘genuine confusion … about when passage is permitted,’ said Torbjorn Soltvedt, principal Middle East analyst at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft.

Conflicting statements emerged from Trump about a full reopening and from the Iranian foreign minister about a limited reopening. Then things ‘shifted very quickly’ Saturday when the Guard said the strait was closed.

Additionally, Soltvedt said, it’s in Iran’s interest to keep insurance premiums high with sporadic attacks. ‘Their main leverage in negotiations with the US is being able to restrict shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and insurance is a big part of that.’

Some vessels have passed the Iranian vetting system, and some have relied on diplomatic requests from home governments. But hundreds of ships and thousands of crew members are still stuck.