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17 Indians onboard Israeli-linked cargo ship seized by Iran

At least 17 Indians are onboard the Portugal-flagged and Israeli-linked MSC Aries cargo ship seized by the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) near Strait of Hormuz Saturday.

Saturday April 13, 2024 8:16 PM, Agencies

New Delhi/Tehran: At least 17 Indians are onboard the Portugal-flagged and Israeli-linked MSC Aries cargo ship seized by the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) near Strait of Hormuz Saturday.

Confirming the presence of the Indians on the seized cargo ship, Indian officials in New Delhi said they are in touch with the Iranian authorities to ensure their safety and smooth release.

"We are aware that a cargo ship ‘MSC Aries’ has been taken control of by Iran. We have learnt that there are 17 Indian nationals on-board.”

“We are in touch with the Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and in Delhi, to ensure the security, welfare and early release of Indian nationals," news agency ANI quoted attributing to official sources.

MSC Aries departed from a port in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and was en route to Nhava Sheva Port in Mumbai, India.

MSC Aries is associated with the London-based Zodiac Maritime, a part of the Zodiac Group run by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer and his family, according to Al Jazeera.

The Moment MSC Aries is seized

Footage shows the moment Israeli-linked ship MSC ARIES was captured in the Strait of Hormuz pic.twitter.com/dWU71quIjY

— Press TV (@PressTV) April 13, 2024

The seizure of the Israeli-linked cargo ship comes about ten days after seven Iranians, including two IRGC commanders, were killed in an Israeli airstrikes on Iranian consulate in Damascus. Earlier in the day, the United States had Iran will revenge the Israeli attack on its consulate in Syria.

Iran said MSC Aries was commandeered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“The ship has now been guided towards the territorial waters of our country,” state-run IRNA news agency said.

Video clips from the deck of the vessel shared on social media showed soldiers rappelling down from a helicopter. The helicopter appeared to be a Soviet-designed Mil Mi-17, which is operated by the naval forces of the IRGC.

MSC confirmed there were 25 crew members on-board the ship. Besides the 17 Indians, other crew members include Filipinos, Pakistanis, one Russian and one Estonian.

 

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