The developments surrounding the Greek-owned containership “Epaminondas” took a dramatic turn last night, as the shipowner Technomar Shipping Inc. finally confirmed that the ship is under the control of Iranian forces, overturning the initial image that had formed earlier in the day. According to a recent update from the company to the Ministry of Shipping, Iranian soldiers boarded the ship and ordered the captain to head towards the island of Larak, at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. This development essentially confirms the seizure of the ship, which had initially been denied, signaling a new phase of deterioration in the situation in the Strait of Hormuz in Tehran’s attempt to impose control over shipping.

An attack on a ship of Greek interests was carried out by the Revolutionary Guards off the coast of Oman. The attack caused damage but no injuries.

An Iranian drone was shot down by the US military on Thursday after coming within 1,000 yards of a US Navy vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump said.