Iran’s state news agency has said that its Revolutionary Guards have seized the MSC Aries vessel that it says was “linked to Israel” and is being transferred to Iran’s territorial waters.

A Guards navy special forces boarded the Portuguese flagged vessel, which is linked to Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer, about 50 miles off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, before seizing it.

The seizure follows the escalation in the Middle East after an Israeli airstrike destroyed Iran’s consulate in Damascus at the start of April. Iran responded by launching more than 300 drones and missiles towards Israel. The attack included 170 drones and 30 cruise missiles, none of which entered Israeli territory, and 110 ballistic missiles, of which a small number reached Israel.

Prior to the vessel being seized, tracking data was switched off when the MSC Aries was heading towards the Strait of Hormuz. The naval branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized the vessel as it was “linked to Israel”.

White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the crew is comprised of Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Russian and Estonian nationals.
Officials in the Iranian capital, Tehran, have yet to comment on the seizure but the UK and US have criticised the seizure and called for Iranian forces to immediately release the vessel.

India has called for an “immediate de-escalation” of hostilities between the two countries while issuing a travel advisory to its citizens, asking them not to travel to Iran or Israel “until further notice”.

We will monitor the situation and provide our customers with the necessary updates. For more information, contact your Customer Relationship Manager today on 01375 856060 or email crmteam@ugroup.co.uk to discuss.