Kuwait City/Tehran/Washington, 22 April (H.S.): Iran escalated tensions in the Strait of Hormuz by unleashing sustained gunfire on a vessel 8 nautical miles (15 km) off its coast, severely damaging the bridge amid U.S. port blockades, as Tehran dismissed President Trump's fresh ceasefire overture.

Al Jazeera and NBC reports detail a prior attack on Panama-flagged cargo ship Euphoria—UAE-owned, en route from Dammam to Jeddah or Singapore—15 nautical miles (28 km) northeast of Oman. Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gunboats hammered it for 30 minutes after ignored warnings, crippling the nerve center from which captains orchestrate navigation via radar, GPS, and controls.

Iran's Tasnim agency framed it as maritime law enforcement under new strait protocols; all crew remain safe, though the captain halted post-strike. UK Maritime Trade Operations noted frenzy in the chokepoint, with prior IRGC fire on a Greek-owned tanker.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi branded U.S. port sieges wartime acts breaching ceasefires, vowing retaliation while doubting Trump's word. Trump extended the truce indefinitely pending Tehran's proposal, maintaining blockades until negotiations. Pakistan pushes final talks; Iran demands its seized vessel's release first.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar