There are 17 Indians onboard an Israel-linked ship that Iran seized on Saturday in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) of Iran seized Portuguese-flagged ship ‘MSC Aries’ which belongs to London-based company Zodiac Maritime, said Iran’s Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with the IRGC. The company is reported to be owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer.
The Iran’s seizure of the ship comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East and fears of the widening of the ongoing conflict in the region. Iran has vowed to punish Israel for the killing of a top general in an airstrike on the country’s diplomatic mission in Syrian capital Damascus on April 1. The United States and Israel believe that an Iranian attack is imminent and is expected over the weekend or early next week.
Govt in touch with Iran regarding Indians onboard: Sources
The Narendra Modi government is in touch with the Iranian government through diplomatic channels regarding the Indian nationals onboard the seized ship, according to official sources.
Sources told News 18 that the government is engaged to ensure the security, welfare, and early release of Indian nationals.
“We are aware that a cargo ship ‘MSC Aries’ has been taken control by Iran. We have learnt that there are 17 Indian nationals onboard. We are in touch with the Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and in Delhi, to ensure security, welfare and early release of Indian nationals,” said sources.
Iran seized ship near UAE’s port
The seizure of the Israel-linked ship, ‘MSC Aries’, around 50 nautical miles from the northeast of United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Fujairah, according to the UK Navy’s Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The Strait of Hormuz, where Iran seized the ship, is a narrow water body that connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. Around 20% of the world’s oil passes through the strait and Fujairah is the main port in the region where ships pick supplies, trade crew, or load oil shipments.
The UKMTO, however, did not specify who took over the ship and only said that “regional authorities” had seized the ship. Following UKMTO’s report, Iran’s Tasnim news agency had reported the seizure by the IRGC.
Link to article –
17 Indians onboard Israel-linked cargo ship seized by Iran in Strait of Hormuz
