Iran Seizes Commercial Ship Linked to Israel in the Strait of Hormuz
In a bold move, Iran has seized the MSC Aries, a commercial ship with ties to Israel, as it navigated through the strategic Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday.
The vessel, operated by MSC, was boarded by Iranian special forces approximately 50 miles (80km) off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. A dramatic video obtained by Reuters showed troops descending onto the ship from a helicopter.
The Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries is reportedly connected to Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer, adding a layer of complexity to the situation. This incident comes at a time of heightened tensions, following an airstrike that destroyed Iran’s consulate in Damascus earlier in April.
Israeli authorities have not taken the seizure lightly, with Israel warning Iran of consequences for further escalating the situation. Tracking data showed the MSC Aries near the UAE coast before it mysteriously turned off its tracking system, a common practice for Israeli-affiliated ships in the region.
While the UK’s Maritime Trade Operations agency confirmed the ship’s seizure off the coast of Fujairah in the UAE, Iranian media proudly boasted about the involvement of their special forces.
According to Iranian news agency Irna, the naval branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) took control of the MSC Aries due to its Israeli connections. The ship is reportedly being taken to Iranian waters.
As the situation unfolds, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has called on the European Union to label the IRGC as a terrorist organization and impose sanctions on Iran. This latest incident adds to a series of ship seizures in the region by Iranian forces since 2019.
With mounting tensions between Iran and Israel, US officials have issued warnings of potential attacks, while President Joe Biden reiterated America’s commitment to defending Israel. Israel’s military has made it clear that Iran will face consequences for any further escalation.
Amidst the turmoil, Dutch media reported that KLM airline has decided to avoid flying over Iran due to the escalating regional tensions, further highlighting the growing unease in the area.
