Iran announced on Saturday its decision to release the crew members of a Portuguese-flagged ship that was seized by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces earlier this month in the Gulf.
The MSC Aries, carrying 25 crew members, was taken over near the Strait of Hormuz on April 13.
Initially claiming the ship belonged to Israel, Tehran proceeded to investigate alleged violations of international maritime law. Addressing the humanitarian aspect of the situation, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, expressed concerns during a phone call with his Portuguese counterpart, Paulo Rangel.
“We have provided consular access to their ambassadors in Tehran and informed them that the crew members will be released without extradition,” the Foreign Minister stated in a ministry press release. This move follows Portugal’s summoning of Iran’s ambassador to demand the immediate release of the ship.
Earlier, on April 18, India reported that one of the 17 Indian crew members had returned home, with the remaining granted consular access. The Indian foreign ministry assured that the crew was in good health aboard the ship. Regarding their return, the ministry spokesperson highlighted the existence of certain technicalities.
The seizure of the ship occurred just hours before Iran initiated its first-ever direct attack on Israel, launching a barrage of drones and missiles, most of which were intercepted according to the Israeli military. Both Israel and the United States have condemned the ship’s seizure as an act of piracy.
Tensions in the region have been escalating since the outbreak of war nearly seven months ago between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
