Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has announced that the crew of the MSC Aries container ship, seized on April 13, 2024, will be released shortly. According to a report by Reuters, the entire crew, consisting of 25 mariners, is set to be freed. The Revolutionary Guards commandeered the vessel in the Strait of Hormuz using a military helicopter, directing it towards the Iranian coast where it remains anchored.
The seizure was justified by Iranian authorities as a response to alleged violations of maritime laws. The MSC Aries, which has a capacity of 15,000 TEU, is linked to Israel through its ownership by the British-based Zodiac Group, controlled by Israeli magnate Eyal Ofer. However, the ship flies the Portuguese flag, prompting Lisbon to push for the crew's release. In addition to the MSC Aries, Iran has also seized the St. Nikolas tanker, and in the same region, Yemeni Houthis have captured the car carrier Galaxy Leader.
Despite the announcement regarding the MSC Aries crew, tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for Europe's energy supply, remain high. This strait is not only pivotal for oil transit but also for liquefied natural gas, with 21% of the global supply, mainly from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, passing through. In 2023, Qatar and the UAE shipped 81 million and 4 million tonnes of LNG respectively.
