CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that the country has released all the crew members of the Israeli-linked ship which was seized recently by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the Strait of Hormuz.
The development comes weeks after the Portuguese-flagged ship was seized by IRGC on April 13. The ship, MSC Aries, was manned by a crew of 25, of which 17 were Indians. However, over 16 crew members remain onboard at present after the sole woman, Ann Tessa Joseph, was released on April 18 by Iranian authorities.
Amirabdollahian said the release of the crew was a humanitarian act and
they could return to their countries along with the ship’s captain. But, the control of the vessel will remain with Iran under judicial detention.
The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier said the return of the Indian crew was dependent on several factors, including their contractual obligations. “All of them are in good health. We are in touch with Iranian authorities also for their release,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said when asked about the fate of the 16 sailors.
According to Iran, the seized ship had turned off its radar in Iran’s territorial waters and jeopardized the security of navigation.