Iran Seizes Ship Near Strait of Hormuz as Another Cargo Vessel Sinks

A ship anchored off the United Arab Emirates was seized and taken toward Iran while another cargo ship near Oman sank after being attacked, as tensions escalated around the Strait of Hormuz.

The White House said President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping agreed that the Strait of Hormuz “must remain open to support the free flow of energy,” even as negotiations to end the conflict and open the waterway were stalled.

26 September Net

Al Jazeera reported that since the US-Israeli war on Iran began at the end of February, Tehran has all but closed the strait, disrupting global energy supplies and raising fuel prices.

In Washington’s enforcement, US Central Command said on X that “As of today, CENTCOM forces have redirected 70 commercial vessels and disabled 4 to ensure compliance,” linking the blockade to the shipping crisis near the waterway.

Iranian officials reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz would be open for commercial vessels if they cooperate with Tehran’s naval authorities, with ships expected to submit detailed information in advance through what Iran calls the ‘Persian Gulf Strait Authority’.

Al Jazeera’s Almigdad Alruhaid said, “Ships are expected to submit detailed information in advance through what Iran calls the ‘Persian Gulf Strait Authority’,” describing the approval process for transit permits.

Aaj English TV

The BBC reported that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted the strait is open for commercial vessels that cooperate with Iran’s navy, adding, “From our perspective, the Strait of Hormuz is open to all commercial vessels, but they must cooperate with our naval forces.”

In parallel, the BBC said the UKMTO reported a vessel was taken by unauthorized personnel and was “bound for Iranian territorial waters,” while India’s foreign ministry called an Oman attack “unacceptable.”

The dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz is now tied to the conditions for resumed talks, with Washington seeking Tehran to hand over its enriched uranium while Tehran wants a lifting of sanctions and its sovereignty over the strait recognized.

“United States President Donald Trump has discussed the Strait of Hormuz and the US-Israel war on Iran during his meeting with China’s Xi Jinping as negotiations to end the conflict and open the waterway are stalled”

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera said Washington wants Tehran to hand over its enriched uranium, and Tehran wants a lifting of sanctions and its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz recognised, leaving the US and Iran “no closer to agreeing to a peace deal.”

In the immediate aftermath of the latest seizures and attacks, the BBC said a vessel reportedly operating as a “floating armoury” was seized by Iranian military personnel and is now “bound for Iranian territorial waters,” after Vanguard identified it as the Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan.

Meanwhile, the BBC reported that the situation was discussed during talks on Thursday between Trump and Xi, with the White House saying Xi had “made clear China's opposition to the militarization of the Strait,” underscoring how the standoff is being framed internationally.