Iran has released five Indian crew members from an Israeli-affiliated container ship that was seized by Iranian commandos about a month ago. The Indian Embassy in Tehran confirmed the news through a social media post late on Friday, expressing gratitude to Iranian authorities for their cooperation.
5 of the Indian sailors on MSC Aries have been released and departed from Iran today evening. We appreciate the Iranian authorities for their close coordination with the Embassy and Indian Consulate in Bandar Abbas.
— India in Iran (@India_in_Iran) May 9, 2024
The incident involving the MSC Aries, associated with London-based Zodiac Maritime owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Group, occurred amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran. This tension escalated following an Israeli airstrike on April 1 targeting the Iranian embassy in Damascus, resulting in casualties including senior officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had earlier contacted his Iranian counterpart H Amir Abdollahian, demanding the release of all 17 Indian crew members. The recent release of five crew members is a positive development following diplomatic efforts.
In April, an Indian sailor aboard the MSC Aries was allowed to communicate with his brother after intervention by the Indian Embassy. The crew had been restricted from using communication equipment while in custody.
The broader context of the situation includes Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza, which has heightened tensions across the region involving Iranian-backed forces like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The potential for escalation in the region remains a concern, underscoring the delicate geopolitical dynamics at play.