Reactions and statements from the international community
The Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) announced drone attacks on its headquarters in the Khobat area of Erbil province, Iraqi Kurdistan, on May 2, resulting in three wounded individuals with superficial injuries.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized two vessels, "MSC-FRANCESCA" and "EPAMINODES," in the Strait of Hormuz early this morning, transferring them to Iranian territorial waters for inspection of their cargo and documents.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed in a statement that it seized two ships, "MSC FRANCESCA" and "EPAMINODES," near the Strait of Hormuz, citing "maritime violations" including tampering with navigation systems and threats to safety.
At least three container ships came under fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, with a Liberian-flagged vessel suffering damage to its conning bridge from bullets and rocket-propelled grenades near the northeast coast of Oman, while a Panamanian-flagged ship was shot at about eight nautical miles west of Iran but remained undamaged. Maritime security sources reported that an armed boat from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was involved in the attack.
Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned countries bordering the Persian Gulf that disrupting communication infrastructures in the Strait of Hormuz could cause a catastrophe for the region's digital economies, noting that at least 7 major communication cables pass through this strategic waterway.
President Donald Trump announced the extension of the ceasefire with the Islamic Republic of Iran, while the U.S. continues its naval blockade of the country.
Fox News reported that internal power struggles between the IRGC and top political officials in Iran have intensified, with the IRGC effectively taking control of decision-making processes and halting negotiations, leading to signs of financial collapse and economic pressure on the regime.
A container ship was targeted by gunfire from Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz near Oman at 03:55 local time on Wednesday, resulting in heavy damage. The ship was exiting the strait and attempting to bypass imposed restrictions.
Mehdi Mohammadi, an advisor to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, initially called for a military response to the U.S. naval blockade but was quickly contradicted by Tasnim News Agency, which stated that Mohammadi's comments do not reflect Ghalibaf's position, highlighting internal divisions within the Iranian regime.
The European Commission presented an emergency package to address the energy crisis in Europe following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Lily Nikfar, a reporter for Iran International, reported the news.
Eyal Zamir, Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, announced that the IDF remains in full alert and is prepared to resume combat operations across all fronts, including in Iran and Lebanon, amid fragile ceasefires.
The British Maritime Trade Operations reported that an IRGC boat, 28 kilometers off the northeast coast of Oman, approached a container ship without warning and opened fire.
