The deputy director of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization confirmed that the crew of the seized Portuguese-flagged container ship MSC Aries is in good health. The ship, linked to an Israeli-owned company, was intercepted by the Revolutionary Guard in the Strait of Hormuz on April 13 during heightened tensions with Israel. The crew, consisting of 24 members, is reportedly safe and well taken care of, with one female crew member from India already allowed to return home.
Iran’s Foreign Minister assured his Portuguese counterpart that consular access has been granted, and the crew is expected to be released soon and handed over to their ambassadors in Tehran. The IRGC claims the seizure was due to the vessel’s connections to Israel, as it is leased by MSC from Gortal Shipping, which is linked to Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer. This incident occurred amidst escalating regional tensions, including Iran’s first direct assault on Israel and a suspected Israeli airstrike in Damascus.
The seizure of the MSC Aries is part of a larger pattern of Iran-backed actions in the region, including the Houthis’ Red Sea blockade aimed at pressuring Israel to agree to a ceasefire amid the Gaza war. The Houthis, under Iran’s supreme leader’s command, have been holding 25 crew members hostage since November, with the Galaxy Leader being the first ship taken. This blockade has now been extended to global shipping, further complicating the situation in the region.
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