Iran Releases 5 Indian Sailors From Seized Israeli-linked Ship MSC Aries

In a significant diplomatic victory, five Indian sailors who were detained onboard an Israeli-linked vessel seized by Iran have been released.

On April 13, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy seized the sailors, who were part of a crew of 17 Indian nationals.

The container ship, MSC Aries, was seized near the Strait of Hormuz.

The vessel was last seen traveling towards the Strait of Hormuz off Dubai’s coast on April 12.

The Indian Embassy in Iran expressed gratitude to Iranian authorities for their close collaboration, highlighting the coordination between the Embassy and the Indian Consulate in Bandar Abbas.

Randhir Jaiswal, an MEA official spokeswoman, confirmed the release, stating, “5 of the Indian sailors on MSC Aries have been released and departed from Iran.”

Earlier reports stated that one of the Indian crew members, Ann Tessa Joseph of Thrissur, Kerala, had safely returned to India on April 18.

The Ministry of External Affairs ensured the remaining crew members’ safety and stated they would be released after their contractual responsibilities were fulfilled.

During a weekly press briefing on April 25, MEA spokeswoman Randhir Jaiswal emphasized the crew’s safety and the absence of any issues aboard the ship.

He mentioned that they would have to complete technicalities and contractual obligations before they could return.

Iraj Elahi, Iran’s Ambassador to India, emphasized that the Indian crew members of MSC Aries had not been detained and were free to leave.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had discussed the crew members’ release with his Iranian colleague Hossein Amir-Abdollahian amid rising tensions between Iran and the West.

The release of the Indian sailors coincides with a heightened international focus on maritime security, particularly in the sensitive Strait of Hormuz.

The incident emphasizes the significance of diplomatic channels in settling maritime issues and guaranteeing the safety of seafarers.

This diplomatic accomplishment is a positive development in India-Iran ties and highlights the effectiveness of diplomatic interventions in settling difficult maritime crises.

Reference: NDTV

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Source: Maritime Shipping News