White House press secretary Caroline Levitt addressed why President Trump doesn’t view the recent Iranian seizure of two foreign vessels in the Strait of Hormuz as a breach of the ceasefire agreement. Her comments came during a conversation with Fox News’ Martha McCallum, shortly after Iran took control of a ship flying the Greek flag and another from the Mediterranean.
McCallum inquired whether the president considers the seizure of these vessels—a Greek-owned ship and another Mediterranean ship with cargo—an infringement of the ceasefire, especially since they were moved into Iranian waters. Levitt responded, clarifying, “No, these weren’t American or Israeli ships. These were international vessels.”
She further pointed out that the U.S. media might be exaggerating the situation to undermine the president’s stance, stating that he has effectively weakened Iran’s conventional navy. Levitt remarked, “These two ships were taken by fast gunboats. While Iran once had a dominant navy, their actions now resemble piracy. They lack the authority to control the straits.” She emphasized the effectiveness of the American naval blockade against Iran, specifying that it aims to restrict ships entering or exiting Iranian ports while maintaining economic pressure on the country.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed that the vessels, identified as MSC Francesca and Epaminondas, were operating without proper permits and allegedly tampering with their navigation systems, though these claims haven’t been independently verified. Previous reports indicated that ships had faced gunfire in the area, highlighting the growing volatility in this crucial shipping lane.
Additionally, Iranian media reported that security forces targeted a third ship, known as the Euphoria, which was left stranded off the Iranian coast but not captured.
Both the United States and Iran continue to engage in targeting commercial vessels as part of a wider strategy related to stalled negotiations, with each side accusing the other of breaking the delicate ceasefire terms.
The Strait of Hormuz is essential for global oil transportation, with about 20% of the world’s oil supply passing through it. Recently, traffic in the area has drastically decreased as vessels altered their routes or avoided the strait altogether due to the ongoing tensions.
