At least 17 Indians on board Israel-linked ship seized by Iran: Report

At least 17 Indian nationals are aboard the cargo ship seized by Iran's Revolutionary Guards off the UAE coast, as per a report.

In Short

• 17 Indians onboard Israeli-linked ship seized by Iranian military
• Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards seize MSC Aries ship
• India in touch with Iran to ensure safe release of Indian nationals

At least 17 Indians are on board an Israeli-linked container ship that has been seized by the Iranian military near the Strait of Hormuz, as per a report by news agency PTI.

India is in touch with Iran through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and in Delhi, to ensure the welfare and early release of its nationals, the report mentioned.

The development comes amid a looming threat that Iran may carry out an attack on Israel in retaliation to a strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1. Israel, for its part, has firmly denied its involvement in the attack on Iranian consulate.

In the latest escalation of tensions between the two nations, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards seized MSC Aries on Saturday morning when it was sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier on Saturday, a video seen by The Associated Press showed commandos raiding a ship near the Strait of Hormuz by helicopter, an attack a Mideast defence official attributed to Iran amid wider tensions between Tehran and the West.

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported that a Guards helicopter had boarded and taken into Iranian waters the Portuguese flagged MSC Aries, saying it was linked to Israel.

MSC, which operates the Aries, confirmed Iran had seized the ship and said it was working "with the relevant authorities" for its safe return and the wellbeing of its 25 crew.

Published By:
Anuja Jha
Published On:
Apr 13, 2024