Crew Of MSC Aries Will Be Released Soon, Says Iran, Bringing Relief For Indians Held Aboard Seized Vessel

The Iranian government said the crew aboard Portuguese-flagged container ship MSC Aries will be released soon. According to CNN-News18, Iranian FM Amir Abdollahian informed of this development to Portuguese counterpart Paulo Rangel.

“The human issue of the freedom of the ship’s crew is of serious concern to us, and we have announced consular access, freedom and transfer to their ambassadors in Tehran,” Abdollahian said. Iran, however, has not announced the dates for their release.

According to CNN-News18, a woman member among the 17 member Indian crew has already returned home.

The external affairs ministry earlier said that there are certain “technicalities involved” in the return of the remaining 16 Indian crew members.

“These 16 people, we had asked consular access for, which we got. Our officers went there and met. They are in constant touch with their families. Their health is good and they have no problems of any kind onboard the ship. As far as their return is concerned, there are certain technicalities involved, there are some contractual obligations, once that is done, when they’ll return it will depend on that,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said earlier this week.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards raided MSC Aries which was en route to Mumbai near the Strait of Hormuz by helicopter as tensions between Iran and Israel grew following the latter’s alleged strike on the former’s consulate in the Syrian capital of Damascus earlier this month.

MSC Aries is a Portuguese-flagged container ship associated with London-based Zodiac Maritime. Zodiac Maritime is part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Group.

“The vessel was diverted into Iran’s territorial waters as a result of violating maritime laws and not answering calls made by Iranian authorities,” spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said last week when questioned by reporters.

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.