Amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) opened fire on three merchant vessels and seized two, including one bound for India, even as the US extended the ceasefire indefinitely at the request of Pakistan to give Tehran’s leadership more time to prepare a unified proposal to end the war.A third ship, the Euphoria, was also fired upon, though the crew and vessel are reported safe.The IRGC Navy said the MSC Francesca and container ship Epaminondas were “seized” and directed towards the Iranian coast, alleging they were operating without the necessary permit and tampering with navigation systems. The Epaminondas, owned by a Greek company, was destined for Mundra port in Gujarat.The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) reported that an IRGC gunboat opened fire on the Epaminondas, 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman, causing heavy damage to the vessel’s bridge.The UKMTO also reported that the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca was targeted about six nautical miles off the Iranian coast while heading south out of the Strait into the Gulf of Oman, sustaining damage to its hull and accommodation.In a statement on Wednesday, the IRGC Navy said the vessels were stopped for repeated violations, including operating without authorisation and allegedly tampering with navigation systems, and were attempting to exit the strait covertly.The developments come after US Central Command (CENTCOM) said US naval forces seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman after it reportedly refused to comply with blockade directions.CENTCOM said American forces had directed 28 commercial vessels to turn around or return to Iranian ports since the naval blockade began on April 13.Separately, US President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely on the insistence of mediator Pakistan, a day before the truce was to expire.Trump said the decision followed a request conveyed through Pakistan’s leadership, including Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who indicated Iran needed time to present a unified proposal.In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said the US had agreed to “hold” a planned attack while maintaining its naval blockade and readiness. He claimed Iran was “collapsing financially” and losing up to $500 million a day due to restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, and was seeking reopening of the waterway. Trump warned that reopening the strait without a broader agreement could derail any potential deal and cautioned that failure of talks could trigger renewed escalation.In Tehran, however, the response remained cautious but firm. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran was fully prepared to defend itself while remaining open to diplomacy. He appreciated Pakistan’s mediation efforts and reiterated that Iran was not the initiator of the conflict.“All Iranian actions have been within the framework of the inherent right to self-defence against military aggression,” Baqaei said, adding that the armed forces remained fully vigilant.He said future engagement with the US would depend on conditions ensuring tangible gains for Iran, while also stressing that Tehran would pursue accountability for damages caused by US and Israeli actions.