A container ship named MSC Aries was seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards near the UAE coast, with reports indicating that 17 of the 25 crew members are Indian nationals. The seizure, conducted through a heliborne operation near the Strait of Hormuz, has led the vessel towards Iranian territorial waters, as per IRNA, the state-owned news agency of Iran.
An official source stated that diplomatic channels between Tehran and Delhi are being utilized to ensure the safety, welfare, and prompt release of the Indian crew members onboard the MSC Aries.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with concerns over potential Iranian retaliation following an airstrike on its embassy’s consular section in Damascus, Syria. Iran has attributed the seized vessel to be “related to the Zionist regime (Israel) in the Gulf.”
The ship, identified as a Portuguese-flagged container vessel, MSC Aries, was last recorded in the Gulf region according to vesselfinder.com and marinetraffic.com.
In response to the situation, Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari issued a statement warning of consequences if Iran escalates tensions further, citing Iran’s status as a state sponsor of terrorism and its global network of terror activities.
Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has acknowledged the incident and is actively engaged with Iranian authorities to facilitate the release of the Indian crew members. The MEA spokesperson emphasized efforts to ascertain more details about the incident and ensure the well-being of the affected individuals.
