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Whereas the whole world is anxiously wanting skyward for the anticipated Iranian retaliation in opposition to Israel for the assault on the Damascus embassy, bother has begun within the waters of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) seized a cargo ship belonging to Israel, days after Tehran stated it’d shut the important transport route.
Iran's state-run IRNA information company reported that an IRGC helicopter boarded the Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries and took it to Iranian waters.
Israeli Overseas Minister Israel Katz accused Tehran of piracy and referred to as on the West to checklist the IRGC as a terrorist group.
Reuters reported:
“MSC, which operates the Aries, confirmed that Iran has seized the ship and stated it’s working “with the related authorities” for its secure return and the well-being of its 25 crew.
MSC leases Aries from Zodiac Maritime affiliate Gortal Transport, Zodiac stated in an announcement, including that MSC is answerable for all ship actions. Zodiac is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.
Video displaying the seizure on Iranian information channels included a person boarding a ship from a helicopter. Reuters was in a position to confirm that the ship within the video was MSC Aries, however didn’t present the date it was recorded.
This incident is one other sudden consequence of the warfare between Israel and Hamas.
Israel and its ally the USA have repeatedly clashed with Iranian proxy teams in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
“Iran has threatened to retaliate for suspected Israeli airstrikes on its consulate within the Syrian capital Damascus on April 1, which killed seven Revolutionary Guard officers, together with two senior commanders.
On Tuesday, Revolutionary Guards naval chief Alireza Tangsiri stated he might shut the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and the United Arab Emirates if deemed essential.
The Western-led Joint Maritime Info Heart stated ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz ought to train warning and keep away from detours.
The Related Press reported:
“Iran's state-run IRNA stated a particular forces unit of the Guard's navy attacked the Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries, a container ship belonging to London-based Zodiac Maritime.
(…) A crew member on the ship may be heard saying: “Don't come out.” He then tells his colleagues to maneuver to the ship's bridge as extra commandos descend on the deck. One commando may be seen kneeling above others to supply potential cowl hearth.
The video matches the identified description of MSC Aries. The helicopter used seems to be a Soviet-era Mil Mi-17 helicopter, which each the Guards and Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthis have used previously to conduct commando raids on ships.
Israeli Overseas Minister Israel Katz:
Katz stated, “Iran is 'a prison regime that helps the crimes of Hamas and is now operating a piracy marketing campaign in violation of worldwide legislation.'”
Watch as IRGC commandos board the ship to take it over.
– Paul Serran (@paul_serran) 13 April 2024