Iran strikes three ships in Strait of Hormuz as Trump extends ceasefire

DUBAI, April 22: The United States has indefinitely extended its ceasefire with Iran, as announced by President Donald Trump, despite stalled efforts to restart peace talks.
A second round of negotiations was expected to take place in Pakistan, but the plan was disrupted after the White House canceled Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Islamabad. This decision followed Iran’s reluctance to return to the negotiating table.
Iran has acknowledged the ceasefire extension but has not confirmed its willingness to participate in future talks.
Officials indicated that diplomacy would only move forward if it serves Iran’s national interests and security. This cautious response has added uncertainty to the already fragile situation.
At the same time, tensions remain high in the region. Iranian semiofficial news agencies reported that the Revolutionary Guard attacked a third ship in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route.
The vessel, identified as the “Euphoria,” was reportedly left stranded near Iran’s coast. Authorities have also reportedly seized two other ships in related incidents. These actions raise concerns about maritime security and cast doubt on the stability of the ceasefire.
Elsewhere, related conflicts continue to escalate. The Israeli military said it stopped around 40 Israeli civilians who attempted to enter Syria through a buffer zone under military control.
The individuals were detained and returned to Israel. Reports suggest they were part of a right-wing group advocating for Jewish settlements in Syria and Lebanon.
In southern Lebanon, Hezbollah claimed it launched a drone toward an Israeli military post, describing it as retaliation for alleged Israeli violations of a 10-day ceasefire.
Israel confirmed that its air force intercepted the drone before it entered Israeli territory and accused Hezbollah of breaking the ceasefire agreement.
The conflict is also having wider economic consequences. Disruptions to oil supplies from the Middle East are increasing the cost of petroleum-based materials used in many everyday products.
Manufacturers are already reporting price increases of 10–15% for materials like polyester and acrylic, which are used in items such as clothing and toys. Experts warn that because petrochemicals are used in thousands of products, the impact could spread across global markets.
European officials have raised alarms about the long-term effects. The European Union’s energy commissioner warned that the crisis could drive up energy prices for months or even years, comparing it to major past energy shocks.
The conflict is already costing Europe hundreds of millions of euros per day, with uncertainty about future supply levels.
There are also concerns about infrastructure risks. An Iranian-linked news agency suggested that undersea data cables in the Strait of Hormuz could be vulnerable to damage, which could lead to major communication outages across the Gulf region.
Similar incidents in nearby areas have previously caused disruptions.
Inside Iran, people are anxious about what will happen next. Many residents reported staying awake overnight to see whether the ceasefire would hold.
While some expressed confidence in Iran’s position, others said they are frustrated by the uncertainty and lack of clear direction.
Overall, although the ceasefire extension provides temporary relief, ongoing military actions, stalled diplomacy, and growing economic impacts indicate that the situation remains unstable and unresolved. (AP)