HIGH SEIZE

Iran and US forces in vessel takeovers

- BY PATRICK HILL

MASKED Iranian soldiers board and seize two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Heavily armed military men took control of Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and Greek-owned Epaminondas after approaching on speedboats and climbing rope ladders.

The takeovers came hours after US President Donald Trump extended a two-week ceasefire until talks come to a conclusion.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps accused the vessels' crews of tampering with navigation systems, jeopardising maritime security and operating without authorisation.