Iran’s foreign minister announced that the crew of the Portuguese-flagged ship seized by Iran, allegedly linked to Israel, will receive consular access and are anticipated to be released soon.
The vessel, MSC Aries, was apprehended by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the Strait of Hormuz on April 13, following Iran’s vow to retaliate against a suspected Israeli attack on its consulate in Damascus. Amid escalating tensions, Iran threatened to close the vital shipping route.
The capture occurred amidst heightened maritime security concerns, with recent attacks on merchant ships by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
These actions, purportedly in solidarity with Palestinians during Israel’s conflict with Hamas, have disrupted global shipping.
In a telephone conversation with Portuguese counterpart Paulo Rangel, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian emphasized Iran’s earnestness regarding the crew’s release, describing it as a significant humanitarian matter.
He assured that the crew members would be handed over to their respective ambassadors in Tehran, although no specific timeframe was mentioned.
Iran’s foreign ministry asserts that the seizure of the MSC Aries was due to violations of maritime laws and maintains that the vessel has ties to Israel.
MSC, the vessel’s leaser, operates it through Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime, which is partially owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.
The release of the ship’s crew represents an important step towards de-escalation and diplomatic resolution amidst heightened maritime security concerns.
The resolution of this incident will be closely monitored by the international community as tensions persist in the volatile Strait of Hormuz.
