The IRGC says the attack came in response to what it described as the US seizure of an Iranian commercial ship.
Published April 22, 2026
An Iranian gunboat has fired on a container ship near the coast of Oman, according to a British maritime surveillance agency, in an incident that occurred hours after US President Donald Trump said he would extend a ceasefire with Iran.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations center (UKMTO) said on Wednesday that the ship’s captain reported that an Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ship had approached the ship before shots were fired.
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“It has caused serious damage to the bridge. No fires or environmental impact have been reported,” the agency added. No casualties were reported and all crew members were said to be safe.
British maritime security firm Vanguard Tech said the ship was sailing under the Liberian flag and had been informed that it had permission to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency, however, said the ship had ignored warnings issued by Iran’s military.
The incident followed a warning from the IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters following what it described as the US seizure of an Iranian commercial ship in the Sea of Oman, the IRNA news agency reported.
He accused Washington of violating the ceasefire and carrying out “armed piracy” after allegedly shooting at the Iranian ship and disabling its navigation systems.
Trump extends ceasefire
Trump previously announced he would delay a planned military strike against Iran following requests from Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
On Truth Social, Trump said the decision was made because Iran’s government was “seriously fractured” and needed time to present a unified position.
“We have been asked to suspend our attack on the country of Iran until its leaders and representatives can present a unified proposal,” he wrote.
However, he added that the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would remain in place and said the military had been ordered to remain “ready and capable”.
The announcement marked a change from comments made the day before, when Trump said it was “highly unlikely” he would extend the stunt beyond Tuesday.
‘Positive and negative signals’ from Tehran
Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi, reporting from Tehran, said Iranian officials were sending conflicting messages about the ceasefire and the prospects for negotiations.
“Tehran is saying that they will not negotiate under imposed terms and conditions… when we compare the initial 10-point and 15-point proposals of the Iranians and the Americans, we can understand that the two sides are polar opposites,” he said.
“The atmosphere is also clouded by Tehran’s distrust of the United States, as well as simultaneous military rhetoric related to a possible failed negotiation… It is a warning that there may be another round of confrontation in the future.”
He said Iran still views the Strait of Hormuz as a key source of leverage in any talks.
“He is trying to exert authority over ships and vessels transiting this strategically important strategic point,” he said.
Asadi added that Iranian officials framed their regional position as based on mutual security. “The Iranians are saying that the basis of their foreign policy conduct, particularly when it comes to Israel, is security for all versus security for none,” he said.
