Iran releases all crew members, including Indians, aboard seized cargo ship MSC Aries on 'humanitarian grounds'
- In Reports
- 12:19 PM, May 04, 2024
- Myind Staff
Iran has released all crew members from the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship MSC Aries. Seventeen of the 25 crew members were Indian nationals.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that during the telephonic conversation, both sides discussed the recent state of bilateral ties and regional developments.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards seized the ship on April 13 in the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports. The Iranian state-run IRNA news agency stated that a Guards helicopter had boarded and taken the Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries into Iranian waters.
Earlier, shipping security agencies had reported a vessel being boarded and seized by "regional authorities" in the Hormuz Strait between the United Arab Emirates and Iran.
Ann Tessa Joseph from Thrissur, Kerala, who was aboard the Israel-linked cargo ship, was earlier released. She reached back home safely on April 18.
India's Ministry of External Affairs recently released a statement providing an update on Joseph's return. The statement also confirmed the safety of the remaining Indian crew members and indicated that they would be released upon completion of their contractual obligations.
During a weekly press briefing on April 25, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that one female crew member had returned home, and consular access had been provided to the remaining 16 individuals.
He confirmed that the crew members were in good health and that there were no issues aboard the ship. Jaiswal mentioned that the crew's return was subject to technical and contractual considerations, which would determine their release once fulfilled.
Iranian Ambassador to India, Iraj Elahi, clarified that the Indian crew members were not detained and affirmed that they had the freedom to depart.
Amirabdollahian responded to the Estonian side's request regarding the Portuguese ship by stating that the vessel, which disabled its radar within Iran's territorial waters, endangering navigation security, has been detained in accordance with judicial regulations.
Earlier today, Iranian officials conveyed during a telephone discussion with Estonian counterparts that they had released all crew members of the ship on humanitarian grounds. Iran further stated that if the ship's captain accompanies them, the entire crew, including the Estonians, can return to their country.
Image source: Hindustan Times
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