Iran Hits Ships in the Strait of Hormuz; Trump Extends Cease-Fire 3–5 Days

Fox News reported this evening (Wednesday) that sources in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard confirmed they attacked three cargo ships today in the Strait of Hormuz area. Reuters added in its own report that the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a ship sailing under the Liberian flag was damaged, and two additional ships—flying the flags of Liberia and Panama—were not hit.

Iranian news agencies also confirmed that the Revolutionary Guards struck the freighter Euphoria in the Strait of Hormuz area. It was reported that the vessel "ran aground" off Iran’s coast. Earlier, Iran confirmed that the ships MSC-FRANCESCA (sailing under the Panamanian flag) and the cargo ship EPAMINODES (sailing under the Liberian flag) were attacked.

The spokesman for the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Ebrahim Rezaei, addressed the matter and said: "An eye for an eye, an oil tanker for an oil tanker." According to him, "Just as our response to the enemy during 40 days of war was resolute and strong, we will not remain silent in the face of the pirates. They will not be able to turn the game, in which they lost, into a victory."

White House official: Cease-fire for three to five days

Meanwhile, a White House official told U.S. media that President Donald Trump approved extending the cease-fire with Iran by three to five days. According to the reports, "Trump hopes the sides will meet for talks as early as this coming weekend, and by then the Iranians will present a plan that will lead to an agreement."

Channel 12 reported that Trump "wants to allow the Iranians to get their bearings. This is not going to be an open-ended, unlimited cease-fire."

Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, released a statement this evening thanking the U.S. president after his announcement of the cease-fire extension. Sharif said: "We will continue efforts to settle the conflict. We hope both sides will uphold the cease-fire, and we are confident that Iran and the U.S. are capable of reaching a 'peace agreement' during the second round of talks and ending the dispute."

The Iranian parliament speaker, Mohammad Ghalibaf, addressed the American decision: "A full cease-fire is meaningful only when it is not disrupted by a naval blockade and damage to the global economy, and when the aggression of the Zionists on all fronts stops. Opening the Strait of Hormuz is not possible while blatantly violating the cease-fire. Through military aggression they did not achieve their goals, and through bullying they will not achieve them either. The only way is recognition of the rights of the Iranian people."

Iran’s army chief threatens: "If we are attacked again—we will fight to the last drop of blood"

Iran’s army chief, Amir Hatami, issued a threat in a message marking the 47th anniversary of the establishment of the Revolutionary Guards. He claimed that "If our country is attacked again, we will fight to the last drop of blood and achieve final victory. The Revolutionary Guards have once again proven their capability and strength to the world in confronting American-Israeli aggression."

Earlier today, Iranian television reported that "Iran does not recognize the extension of the cease-fire; it may adhere to it and it may not, in accordance with national interests." The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Bakaei, said that "We have not yet made a decision regarding participation in the new round of negotiations in Islamabad. If we find that going to Islamabad serves our national interests, we will go there."

An adviser to the Iranian parliament speaker, Mehdi Mohammadi, clarified that "The extension of the cease-fire by Trump has no meaning. The losing side cannot set conditions." According to him, "Continuing the blockade is no different from bombings, and it should be met with a military response."

Mohammadi further warned that "Trump’s extension of the cease-fire is definitely buying time for the purpose of a surprise blow. The time for Iran’s counter-initiative is now." Iranian television reported that "Iran does not recognize the extension of the cease-fire announced by Trump. It may not commit to it and will act in accordance with its national interests."