Iranian forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have seized a container ship near the Strait of Hormuz, reportedly linked to Israel. The incident follows tensions heightened by an Israeli attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria.
Iranian armed forces, led by the IRGC, seized the Portugal-flagged MSC Aries, associated with the London-based Zodiac Maritime, owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s family. The vessel was en route to India from the UAE when IRGC forces commandeered it via helicopter, guiding it towards Iranian territorial waters.
Footage from the vessel showed soldiers descending from a helicopter, believed to be a Soviet-designed Mil Mi-17, operated by the IRGC naval forces. This incident adds to recent tensions, including the US blaming Iran for an attack on another Israeli-linked container ship in the Indian Ocean.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the seizure, which occurred 50 nautical miles northeast of Fujairah, UAE. The escalating tensions in the region underscore the volatility and strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global trade.
