India in touch with Iran for release of Indian crew members of seized ship

 India is in touch with Iranian authorities to ensure the security and early release of 17 Indian nationals who are among the 25-member crew of a cargo ship seized by Iranian troops, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday. We are aware that the cargo ship MSC Aries has been taken control of by Iran. We have learnt that there are 17 Indian nationals on board,” one of the people cited above said on condition of anonymity. The Indian side is in touch with Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and New Delhi, to ensure the security, welfare and early release of the Indian nationals, the people said. The Italian-Swiss shipping group MSC said in a statement that there were 25 crew members on board the container ship. It said MSC Aries has been “boarded by Iranian authorities via helicopter as she passed the Strait of Hormuz at approximately 0243 UTC this morning”.MSC said it is “working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure their wellbeing, and safe return of the vessel”.

The 17 Indians on board the Portuguese-flagged and Israel-affiliated cargo vessel include the master. The crew also includes four Filipinos, two Pakistanis, one Russian and one Estonian.

The ship is associated with London-based Zodiac Maritime, which is part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Group.

Commandos from the IRGC rappelled down from a helicopter to the container ship near the Strait of Hormuz and seized the vessel, amid a sharp spike in tensions between Iran and Israel.