Iranian Foreign Minister Hossei Amirabdollahian has announced the release of the crew of a ship flying the Portuguese flag that was seized by Tehran’s Revolutionary Guards in the Strait of Hormuz. The MSC Aries container ship had a crew of 25 on board when it was taken on April 13, just days after Iran vowed to retaliate over an alleged Israeli attack on its consulate in Damascus.
Amirabdollahian expressed his concerns about the humanitarian issue of freeing the ship’s crew during a phone call with his Portuguese counterpart Paulo Rangel. He promised that the crew would be handed over to their respective diplomatic representatives in Tehran, although no specific timeline was provided. The minister stated that the ship was seized due to a violation of maritime laws and its connection to Israel.
In a separate incident, a ship off Yemen’s coast was damaged by multiple missiles, according to reports from Houthi rebels. The Andromeda Star sustained minor damage but continued its journey after the attack took place southwest of Mokha port. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Security Agency reported that two other ships, including another cargo vessel, were also hit in the attack. The Houthis claimed responsibility for targeting international shipping in support of Palestinians amid conflict in Gaza Strip.
Despite these recent incidents and ongoing threats, efforts are still being made to ensure safety and security for maritime activities in the region.