IRAN FIRES ON THIRD SHIP IN HORMUZ ESCALATION IRAN’S REVOLUTIONARY GUARD REPORTEDLY ATTACKED A THIRD VESSEL IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, ESCALATING TENSIONS IN THE KEY SHIPPING ROUTE. THE CONTAINER SHIP FRANCESCA, OWNED BY MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING, WAS TARGETED WHILE WAITING TO ENTER… Iran Fires On Third Ship In Hormuz Chokepoint As Tehran Received 'Some Signs' US Ready To End Blockade The IRGC on Wednesday attacked a third vessel of the day in the Strait of Hormuz, rapidly escalating tensions further in the dangerous standoff. The container ship Francesca, owned by Mediterranean Shipping, was targeted while waiting to enter. "An Iranian gunboat fired on a containership northeast of Oman, before a second vessel reported being fired at off the coast of Iran," according to WSJ. "Then the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired on a third ship. The incidents within hours of each other demonstrate that while the aerial war between the U.S. and Iran is on pause, the fight for control of the strait continues." The same publication offers the following outline summary of where things stand on the diplomatic front: • A senior Iranian adviser said the U.S. naval blockade is “no different than bombing” and must be met “with a military response.” • Iran’s ambassador to the U.N. said his country is ready to negotiate with the U.S. once it ends the blockade. • Britain will host military planners from more than 30 countries for two days of talks aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz starting Wednesday.