IRGC Gunboat Attacks and Seizes Two Commercial Vessels in Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Directs Citizens to Depart Iran as Airspace Partially Reopens

PERSIAN GULF — The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received reports of incidents involving commercial vessels fired upon by vessels identified as IRGC gunboats on April 22.

• UKMTO Warning 041-26 reported an attack on a container ship 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman that caused heavy damage to the bridge.

• UKMTO Warning 043-26 details an outbound cargo ship fired upon 8 nautical miles west of Iran that is now stopped in the water. Crews in both cases reported safe and accounted for.

Iranian state-run media IRNA reported that the IRGC Navy seized two foreign-flagged ships, the MSC-FRANCESCA and EPAMINODES, for violating navigational rules and endangering maritime safety in the Strait of Hormuz.

These events coincide with the partial reopening of Iranian airspace. The U.S. State Department issued a security alert directing American citizens in Iran to leave immediately.

Americans may depart by land to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, or Turkmenistan. U.S. citizens should not travel to Afghanistan, Iraq, or the Pakistan-Iran border area. Iranian authorities may prevent departures or charge an exit fee. U.S.-Iranian dual nationals must exit on Iranian passports.

Maritime Incident Details and Operational Impact

UKMTO Daily Summary for 1600 UTC April 21 to 1600 UTC April 22 states, “The following incidents were reported across the region during the reporting period. The regional security environment remains volatile, with ongoing military activity and continued threat to commercial shipping.”

• UKMTO Warning 041-26 states, “UKMTO has received a report of an incident 15NM northeast of OMAN. The Master of a Container Ship reported that the vessel was approached by 1 IRGC gun boat, no VHF challenge that then fired upon the vessel which has caused heavy damage to the bridge. No fires or environmental impact reported. All Crew reported safe. Vessels are advised to report suspicious activity to UKMTO.”

• UKMTO Warning 043-26 states, “UKMTO has received a report of an incident 8NM west of Iran. A master of an outbound cargo ship reports having been fired upon and is now stopped in the water. Crew are safe and accounted for. There is no reported damage to the vessel. UKMTO is aware of high levels of activity in the SoH area and encourages vessels to report any suspicious activity.”

U.S. Citizen Evacuation Advisory and Exit Constraints

The U.S. State Department security alert states, “As of April 21, Iran’s airspace has partially reopened. U.S. citizens should leave Iran now, monitor local media for updates, and consult with commercial carriers for additional information on flights out of Iran. Americans seeking to depart Iran may also depart by land to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Turkmenistan.”

“U.S. citizens should not travel to Afghanistan, Iraq, or the Pakistan-Iran border area. Be aware that the Iranian government may prevent U.S. citizens from departing or charge an ‘exit fee’ for departures from Iran. U.S.-Iranian dual nationals must exit Iran on Iranian passports.”

Assessment: The partial reopening of airspace provides limited commercial flight options while land routes remain available. The advisory highlights risks of administrative or security-related exit impediments. Dual nationals face specific passport requirements that limit flexibility.

Official Statements

U.S. State Department / TravelGov Security Alert (April 21): “As of April 21, Iran’s airspace has partially reopened. U.S. citizens should leave Iran now, monitor local media for updates, and consult with commercial carriers for additional information on flights out of Iran. Americans seeking to depart Iran may also depart by land to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Turkmenistan. U.S. citizens should not travel to Afghanistan, Iraq, or the Pakistan-Iran border area. Be aware that the Iranian government may prevent U.S. citizens from departing or charge an ‘exit fee’ for departures from Iran. U.S.-Iranian dual nationals must exit Iran on Iranian passports.”

UKMTO Warning 041-26 (April 22): “UKMTO has received a report of an incident 15NM northeast of OMAN. The Master of a Container Ship reported that the vessel was approached by 1 IRGC gun boat, no VHF challenge that then fired upon the vessel which has caused heavy damage to the bridge. No fires or environmental impact reported. All Crew reported safe. Vessels are advised to report suspicious activity to UKMTO.”

UKMTO Warning 043-26 (April 22): “UKMTO has received a report of an incident 8NM west of Iran. A master of an outbound cargo ship reports having been fired upon and is now stopped in the water. Crew are safe and accounted for. There is no reported damage to the vessel. UKMTO is aware of high levels of activity in the SoH area and encourages vessels to report any suspicious activity.”

UKMTO Daily Summary (1600 UTC April 21 to 1600 UTC April 22): “The following incidents were reported across the region during the reporting period. The regional security environment remains volatile, with ongoing military activity and continued threat to commercial shipping.”

Iranian state-run media IRNA (April 22): “The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has announced the seizure of two foreign-flagged ships for violating the navigational rule and endangering the maritime safety in the Strait of Hormuz. … the IRGC said its naval forces, in line with the intelligent control of the strait, detained the offending vessels and guided them to Iran’s territorial waters earlier today. One ship, named MSC-FRANCESCA, which is said to be linked to the Zionist regime, and another EPAMINODES, were seized while attempting to secretly exit the Strait of Hormuz without a permit. … both vessels were found in repeated breaches, tampering with navigational protocols, and jeopardizing maritime security. … the naval forces stopped them in line with Iran’s rights in the Strait of Hormuz and were transferred to the country’s territorial waters to examine their cargo and documents. The IRGC Navy has reiterated that any action to disrupt Iran’s declared protocols for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and activities contrary to the safe passage through this strategic waterway will be dealt with decisively and legally.”