Iran-Israel tensions: 17 Indians on board MSC Aries seized near Strait of Hormuz

Italian-Swiss Shipping group MSC had earlier announced that there were 25 crew members aboard the container ship.

Seventeen Indian nationals, including the Master, are among the 25 crew members on board the Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel MSC Aries, which has affiliations with Israel. The vessel was seized by Iran in the Gulf of Hormuz. Additionally, there are four Filipinos, two Pakistanis, one Russian, and one Estonian among the crew.

"We are aware that a cargo ship ‘MSC Aries’ has been taken control of 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 the security, welfare and early release of Indian nationals," the ANI reported citing sources.

Italian-Swiss Shipping group MSC had earlier announced that there were 25 crew members aboard the container ship.

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Iran's military forces seized a cargo vessel in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz on April 13 amidst flaring tensions in the region following an Israeli assault on Iran’s consulate in Syria, resulting in casualties among the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard deployed commandos who rappelled down onto the container ship near the Strait of Hormuz, seizing it.

The seizure was confirmed by Iran's state-run IRNA news agency after a video emerged showing the commandos conducting the raid.

"The ship has now been guided towards the territorial waters of our country," as reported by state-run IRNA.

This incident, amid broader tensions between Tehran and the West, was earlier reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, stating it occurred in the Gulf of Oman off the Emirati port city of Fujairah.