Tensions heightened in the Strait of Hormuz on April 22 when Iran’s Revolutionary Guards captured two ships, perceived by analysts as a response to U.S. actions. One of these vessels has connections to a shipping company linked to both President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron.
A video on Iranian state television showed Revolutionary Guard members boarding a container ship in the strait, according to a report from Reuters on Thursday.
The MSC Francesca, which is part of the MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company—founded by Italian billionaire Gianluigi Aponte and currently led by his children—was one of the seized ships. A relative of a crew member stated, “Around 20 armed Iranians boarded the ship. While the sailors’ movements are restricted, they seem to be treated well.”
The Maritime Minister of Montenegro, Filip Radulovic, stated that the ship is anchored nine nautical miles from the Iranian coast. He added that negotiations between MSC and Iran are ongoing and confirmed crew safety.
A maritime information company noted the IRGC’s tactics appearing to be “retaliation” following a U.S. naval blockade initiated on April 13, after the U.S. military intercepted an Iranian vessel, which in turn led Iran to threaten retaliation.
“The IRGC captured two of the three ships they attacked—MSC Francesca and Epaminondas—while the Euphoria managed to escape,” explained Ami Daniel, co-founder of Windward AI.
This incident, as described by some experts, seems to be a show of force by the Revolutionary Guards, with accusations that MSC has associations with Israel. It’s noted that Gianluigi Aponte’s family ties and his company’s operations in Israel have drawn scrutiny.
It’s also reported that Aponte’s son, Diego, was previously involved in the Trump campaign and arranged meetings in the White House that led to significant trade discussions.
The Revolutionary Guards stated both ships were operating without the proper permits. The MSC Francesca, built in 2008, generally operates routes between the U.S. West Coast, Asia, and the Middle East Gulf.
The vessels were taken to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, and while the MSC declined to comment, the scenario continues to unfold amidst rising tensions in the region.
