Caroline Leavitt says the seizure of the Iranian ship is not a violation of the ceasefire
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White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt explained why President Donald Trump does not consider Iran’s seizure of two ships in the Strait of Hormuz a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Leavitt made the statement during an interview with Fox News’ Martha McCallum on Wednesday, hours after Iran seized Greek-flagged ships in the Mediterranean.
“Was the seizure of the two ships – as we said, they were Greek and Mediterranean ships with cargo on them, and reports say Iran basically took them into Iranian waters. We don’t know what’s going to happen to these crews. We’re not sure where this is all going. Does the president consider that a violation of the peace agreement?” McCallum asked.
“No, because these were not US ships. These were not Israeli ships. These were two international ships,” Leavitt replied.
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Caroline Leavitt, White House press secretary, conducts a press conference. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“And in the American media, they are not the type to blow this out of proportion to discredit the facts of the president that he has completely destroyed the normal Iranian Navy, these two ships were taken by fast gunboats. Iran has gone from having the most lethal Navy in the Middle East to now working as a pirate group. They have no control over the crisis,” he continued.
“This is the crime that we see on display. And the naval embargo by the United States continues to work incredibly well. And, to be clear, the embargo is on ships going to and from Iranian ports. And the point of this is the economic stability that we have maintained over Iran now. Although there is a military freeze regarding the military, the Furyx of the Econosmic, the Econosmic strike, the Economics, the Economics, the Economic this blockade of warships,” he added.
Iranian manufactured ‘Seraj’ high-speed missile attack boat exhibited in Tehran on August 23, 2010, as Iran begins mass production of two high-speed missile boats ‘Seraj’ (Lamp) and ‘Zolfaqar’ (named after the Shiites who produce the sword Imam) complex of the ministry of defense. (YALDA MOAIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said the ships, identified as MSC Francesca and Epaminondas, were operating without proper authorization and disrupting navigational systems, allegations that could not be independently verified. Ships have previously reported that they are burning close to the strain, underscoring the tense situation in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.
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The patrol attacked a third ship, identified as the Euphoria, which had “escaped” off the coast of Iran, Iranian media reported. You didn’t catch that ship.
Ships and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman, on April 18, 2026. (Reuters)
Both the US and Iranian sides have targeted commercial vessels and supplies as part of a pressure campaign that has been accompanied by stalled negotiations. The US military has also moved to seize at least one ship linked to Iran in the region, with each side accusing the other of violating the ceasefire.
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The Strait of Hormuz is an important route for the export of oil to the world, and about 20% of the world’s production passes through it. Traffic slowed dramatically as ships maneuvered or avoided the area amid gunfire, capture and conflicting orders from both armies.
Fox News’ Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
