Energy
Hormuz Traffic at Near-Halt as Ships Come Under Gunfire
US forces patrol near a cargo ship in the Arabia Sea, in a photo released by the US Central Command, on April 20.
Photographer: US Navy/Getty ImagesThe Strait of Hormuz stayed at a near standstill Wednesday as Iranian forces opened fire on — and seized — commercial ships.
State television reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas, accusing them of attempting to secretly exit the strait. The Wall Street Journal reported that a third was also attacked. Meanwhile, at least two Iranian supertankers tested a US blockade that Tehran says impedes peace talks.