Milan, Apr. 22 (LaPresse) – The maritime intelligence company Vanguard told the BBC programme Verify that a third merchant vessel was attacked today while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. The Panama-flagged ship MSC Francesca was targeted about 11 nautical miles from the Iranian coast, while sailing south through the Strait of Hormuz, heading towards the Gulf of Oman. According to reports, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards ordered the MSC Francesca to drop anchor. The ship reported "damage to the hull and cargo". In addition to the MSC Francesca, there are a vessel called Euphoria, which ran aground on the Iranian coast, and the Epaminodes. In a statement, the Revolutionary Guards said the ships "had operated without authorisation, repeatedly violated regulations, manipulated navigation aid systems and attempted to exit the Strait of Hormuz clandestinely, endangering maritime safety".
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