IRGC Releases Video of Seizure of Ships to Make Them Look Tough - It Only Makes Them Look Silly

As we reported, the Iranian regime may have been trying to save some face and act as though they had some control by allegedly seizing two container ships that had nothing to do with the U.S. The regime claimed that they did it because the ships didn't have "permits" and were tampering with their navigation systems. But the ships don't need permits except in the minds of the Iranian regime; the regime doesn't have the right to stop them. It really only makes the regime look desperate to assert "control" while at the same time, they can't stop the U.S. blockade against them, and their ships are getting stopped. 

U.S. forces have directed 31 vessels to turn around or return to port as part of the U.S. blockade against Iran. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/lG5ACEt7LR

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 23, 2026

READ MORE: Video of US Boarding Iranian Ship - and the Question of What Might Have Been on It

Iran Claims It Fired on and Seized Ships - but There's More to the Story

However, the video that the regime released, supposedly depicting masked Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members boarding and seizing the two container ships, has sparked a lot of comment and a lot of laughter. The IRGC didn't exactly look impressive in the process. 

Iran's IRGC Navy has released footage of its forces seizing a pair of container ships in the Strait of Hormuz this morning. pic.twitter.com/hAbmTTe8DR

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 22, 2026

Now, as we've said before, they don't have much of a real Navy left; all they have are some small boats like these. It looks more than a little incongruous with these guys to try to stop and board such a huge ship, with what pipsqueaks they appear to be. You almost have to wonder why the ship would give itself up like this and let them board, if this is even an accurate depiction. But they might be fearful of shoulder-fired missiles or drone attacks from these characters. 

However, the video also looks a bit staged, too. Did they have a photographer board before everyone else, so that everyone could pose and perform for him? We don't even know if any of it is real, although those look like the ships that were allegedly seized. But why are the boarders wearing masks? Where are the crews of the ships?

READ MORE: Iranian Cargo Ship Tries to Get Past the U.S. Blockade - Trump: It 'Did Not Go Well for Them'

Bessent Lands Another Crushing Blow Right on the IRGC

It looks like this was staged after the ship was already seized. It doesn't exactly project power. And we're supposed to believe that the crew of one of the ships just threw down a ladder for them to climb right up? And this is what's left of their "navy." If they think they're trying to emulate the U.S. Navy with this kind of action, it only makes them look sillier and smaller by comparison. This really hurt their propaganda efforts and made them look particularly lame. 

Really some overwhelming force we’re seeing here https://t.co/aZzvZ1eG7Q

— James Klüg (@jamesklug) April 22, 2026

Seizing?

Specifically, they are boarding as the ship decided to open its sideport and lower a pilot ladder. https://t.co/kdYUrkKfNU

— Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping) 🚢⚓🐪🚒🏴‍☠️ (@mercoglianos) April 23, 2026

The U.S. has real video during the seizure of the Touska they conducted, and they looked badass. This is what seizing a ship looks like. Take notes, so you can see what you will never be, IRGC.

U.S. Marines depart amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) by helicopter and transit over the Arabian Sea to board and seize M/V Touska. The Marines rappelled onto the Iranian-flagged vessel, April 19, after guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) disabled Touska’s… pic.twitter.com/mFxI5RzYCS

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 20, 2026