Iran announced on Saturday its decision to release the crew members of a Portugal-flagged vessel that its forces apprehended earlier this month in the Gulf.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized the MSC Aries, carrying 25 crew members, near the Strait of Hormuz on April 13. Tehran subsequently claimed the ship was linked to its adversary Israel and was under investigation for alleged breaches of international maritime regulations.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian conveyed during a telephone conversation with his Portuguese counterpart Paulo Rangel, “The humanitarian aspect of releasing the ship’s crew is of paramount importance to us.” He informed that consular access had been granted to the ambassadors in Tehran, assuring that the crew members would be released and repatriated, as stated in a press release from the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Following the vessel’s seizure, Portugal summoned Iran’s ambassador to demand immediate release. By April 18, India reported the return of one of the 17 Indian crew members to their homeland, with the remaining granted consular access. An Indian foreign ministry spokesman noted, “They are in good health and are not encountering any issues aboard the vessel. However, logistical formalities are being addressed regarding their repatriation.”
The incident occurred just hours before Iran conducted its inaugural direct assault on Israel, deploying numerous drones and missiles. The Israeli military asserted that the majority of the projectiles were taught intercepted. Both Israel and the United States have condemned the ship’s seizure as an act of piracy.
