Iranian commandos stormed an Israel-linked container ship as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime passages.
Special forces from the naval branch of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boarded the MSC Aries about 50 miles off the coast of the United Arab Emirates early Saturday.
Footage of the mission taken by a crew member shows at least three commandos rappelling down a rope from a helicopter to the ship, a container ship sailing under the Portuguese flag and linked to Israeli shipping tycoon Eyal Ofer.
The 1,201-foot-long, 168-foot-wide ship left Khalifa Port in the United Arab Emirates and was expected to arrive in the Indian town of Nhava Sheva before the attack. The latest escalation in tensions between them could lead Tehran to launch a military offensive against Israel.
Tracking data last placed the MSC Aries near the coast of Dubai just over a day ago. The ship appears to have disabled its tracking data at this time.
Footage of the mission taken by a crew member shows at least three commandos rappelling from a helicopter onto the ship.
The MSC Aries (photo) is transported to Iranian waters
Missile launched during military exercise in southern Iran
Iranians attend funeral procession for seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps killed in strike in Syria, which Iran blames on Israel
Britain’s Maritime Trade Operations Agency confirmed the boarding, but made no mention of Iran, instead saying the ship “is believed to have been seized by regional authorities.”
He later said “authorities” were investigating the incident, but did not provide further details.
Iran’s official news agency said Iranian commandos were involved in the boarding and that the ship was being transported to Iranian waters, although Iranian officials have not yet commented on the seizure.
This was also confirmed by the ship’s parent company, which said the ship had “since been diverted from its route to Iran.”
The company added: “We are working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure their well-being and the safe return of the vessel. »
The White House said the ship’s crew was made up of Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Russian and Estonian nationals, and an Indian government official added that 17 Indian nationals were on board the Aries.
White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said: “We call on Iran to immediately release the ship and its international crew.
At least three commandos were seen leaving the Guards store
A photo made available by the Iranian Supreme Leader’s Office shows Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praying over the coffins of members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) killed in Syria.
“Seizing a civilian vessel without provocation constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and an act of piracy by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated foreign terrorist organization.
“This must be unequivocally condemned, and we will work with our partners to hold Iran accountable for its actions.”
The Indian official told the FT: “We are in contact with the Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and Delhi, to ensure the safety, well-being and early release of Indian nationals.”
MSC is leasing the Aries from Gortal Shipping, a subsidiary of Zodiac Maritime, Zodiac said in a statement, adding that MSC was responsible for all activities on the vessel. Zodiac is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.
In response to the Iranian attack on the container ship, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz told X: “The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps seized a Portuguese civilian cargo ship, belonging to a member of the EU, claiming Israeli ownership.
“The Ayatollah regime is a criminal regime that supports Hamas’ crimes and is now carrying out a piracy operation in violation of international law.
A before and after the Iranian embassy strike
Rescue workers search the rubble of a building annexed to the Iranian embassy
“I call on the European Union and the free world to immediately declare the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization and sanction Iran now.”
British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Iran’s seizure of the cargo ship MSC Aries is unacceptable and a blatant violation of international law.
“We demand the unconditional release of the ship and its crew without delay. We are working with our partners to prevent an escalation in the Middle East. Iran must immediately stop its destabilizing behavior.
On Tuesday, Revolutionary Guard naval chief Alireza Tangsiri said he could close the Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran and the United Arab Emirates, if it was deemed necessary.
He said Iran views Israel’s presence in the United Arab Emirates, with which Israel established diplomatic relations in 2020 under the US-brokered “Abraham Accords”, as a threat.
Analyst Hasan Alhasan of the International Institute for Strategic Studies said that while the seizure of the MSC Aries was retaliation for the Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, it showed a desire to save face without an escalation. wider.
Houthi supporters shout slogans during a rally marking Al-Quds Day, in Sanaa, Yemen
An Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the Shahed-136, is on display in Azadi (Freedom) Square, west of Tehran, Iran.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei leads the Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, in Tehran.
“Iran may be trying to play on fears that it could hamper shipping through the strait, a more important passage for global oil and gas supplies than the Red Sea,” he said. declared.
“If Iran limited itself to seizing commercial vessels linked to Israel, it would minimize the risk of widespread conflict but would damage its own credibility,” he added.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group has been disrupting global trade with attacks on shipping in the Red Sea for months, saying it is targeting Israel-linked vessels in retaliation for Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
The United States and Britain have already carried out strikes against Houthi targets in response to attacks on the ships.
The Joint Maritime Information Center, run by a Western-led naval coalition, said ships intending to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy routes, should exercise caution and do not loiter.
Iran has already vowed revenge on Israel after its army carried out a missile strike on its embassy in Damascus, the Syrian capital, which cost the lives of 12 people, including two top generals.
Israel has yet to publicly comment on the attack, but its allies have warned Iran that its support for Israel is “ironclad.”
US President Joe Biden said in a press conference on Thursday: “As I told Prime Minister Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel’s security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is foolproof. Let me say that again: foolproof. We will do everything possible to protect the security of Israel.
Biden’s top diplomat, Anthony Blinken, confirmed his comments and said in a phone call to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant that the United States would support Israel if Iran decided to attack.
Last week, Major General Rahim Safavi, who was commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said none of Israel’s embassies were safe after the missile strike.
U.S. officials told the New York Times that Iran would likely strike several targets in Israel in the coming days.
Little is known about the potential attacks, including what form they might take, the types of targets involved and exactly when they will take place.
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