Iran Foreign Affairs Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, has been able to clear the way for the 17 Indian crew representatives who have been held aboard a cargo vessel that was worked by a company connected to Israel and then seized in the Gulf of Hormuz by Iranian marines. This development was declared at a phone contact between Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian and his Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar, on sunset Sunday, as provided in the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s report.
The Ambassador’s statement articulated the solidarity behind Amir-Abdollahian’s measures in that he said, “We have been following up with the ship seizure issue, and it will be possible very soon to hold the representatives of the Indian government with the ship’s crew.”
On the call, Jaishankar had concerns about the names of 17 Indian crew members on the MSC Aries and appeared to ask for help with their unwinding.
Consequent to the ship’s seizure by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) naval unit 80 kilometres off the coast of the UAE, the Indian authorities got in touch with their Iranian counterparts immediately and ascertain that the safety and expeditious releases of the Indian nationals who were sailing as crew members happening.
The crew comprises 17 Indians, including the vessel’s master, four Filipinos, two Pakistanis, one Russian, and one Estonian. The ship, flying the Portuguese flag and associated with London-based Zodiac Maritime, forms part of the Zodiac Group owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer.
MSC, the Italian-Swiss shipping group managing the vessel, has affirmed its collaboration with relevant authorities to ensure the crew’s well-being.
The event occurred during the period of intensified tensions between Israel and Iran, which allowed India’s government to draw attention to it through the advisory that urged nationals to avoid travelling to both countries and, if they reside there, then they should exercise extreme caution.
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