This picture made from a video supplied to The Associated Press by a Mideast protection official reveals a helicopter raid focusing on a vessel close to the Strait of Hormuz on April 13, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP
Iran on April 27 stated the principally Indian crew of a Portuguese-flagged ship that was seized by Iranian forces in its maritime territory two weeks in the past is being granted consular access, elevating hopes for his or her early launch and extradition.
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard on April 13 seized the Israeli-affiliated, Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries, a container ship, manned by a crew of 25, together with 17 Indians, close to the Strait of Hormuz because of a collection of assaults between Iran and Israel.
Also learn | Iran says MSC Aries vessel seized for ‘violating maritime laws’
A press release from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated Portugal’s newly-appointed Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel had a telephone dialog along with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian and exchanged views on the bilateral relations & the scenario in the area, with the developments in Palestine standing out of their talks.
It was throughout this telephonic dialog that either side exchanged their newest views on the Portuguese-flagged Israeli ship seized by Iranian forces.
“We [will] seriously consider the release of the ship’s crew as a humanitarian issue and we have announced to their ambassadors in Tehran their access to consular services, release and extradition,” Amirabdollahian stated.
Ann Tessa Joseph, the sole lady cadet amongst the 17 Indian crew members of the MSC Aries was launched on April 18 following “concerted efforts” by the Indian mission in Tehran and the Iranian authorities.
Earlier on Thursday, in New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated there are specific “technicalities involved” in the return of the remaining 16 Indian crew members.
In response to a query throughout his weekly media briefing, Jaiswal stated the 16 Indians are in “good” well being and that the Indian mission was given consular access to the Indian crew by Iranian authorities.
Indian officers had met the crew and are in fixed contact with their households, he stated including, “As far as their return is concerned, there are certain technicalities involved, there are some contractual obligations, once that is done, it will depend on that, when they will return.”