2024-05-03 16:00:54
Iran‘s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, said the crew of the hijacked ship had been released; however, the ship itself is under arrest.
“The Times Of Israel” writes about this.
Amirabdollahyan emphasized that the ship was detained for turning off the radar in Iranian territorial waters, which allegedly created a threat to the safety of navigation. As a result, the ship is under judicial arrest. However, as a humanitarian gesture, the 25 crew members were released and were able to return to their countries along with the ship’s captain.
The decision was announced in a Foreign Ministry statement on Platform X. Iran previously claimed the seizure of the vessel was due to a “violation of maritime law” and highlighted the vessel’s links to Israel. MSC Aries is leased by Gortal Shipping, which is a subsidiary of Zodiac Maritime, partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.
It is worth recalling that the ship was seized by the Revolutionary Guards in the Strait of Hormuz on April 13, shortly after Iran expressed its intention to “revenge” an alleged Israeli attack on its consulate in Damascus.
Earlier, Kursor reported that Iran had set an unimaginable condition for the release of one of the sailors. Iran is ready to release the Russian sailor only on the condition that Israel provides a replacement.
“Cursor” also wrote that the Portuguese Foreign Ministry made a statement regarding the seizure of the ship by Iran. The Portuguese Foreign Ministry said that the Portuguese government condemns with confidence and determination the recent attack on Israel.