Iran explains why it landed and seized cargo ships in strategic strait

Iran has seized the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship MSC Aries, accusing it of violating maritime laws and having ties to Israel.

"Iran always strives to create a safe maritime transport environment through the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf. The ship was diverted into Iranian territorial waters because it violated maritime laws and did not respond to calls from Iranian authorities," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nassar Kanaani said on April 15 about the seizure of the MSC Aries.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said he would allow Indian officials to visit the 17 Indian crew members of the MSC Aries, adding that bringing the ship into Iranian waters was necessary for the investigation.

IRGC commandos rappel from a helicopter onto the MSC Aries cargo ship on April 13 in the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: AP

The MSC Aries was seized on April 13 by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in waters between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran. The location of the seizure was 92 km northeast of the UAE city of Fujairah, near the Strait of Hormuz.

The Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries was chartered by international shipping company MSC from Gortal Shipping, a subsidiary of Zodiac Maritime. Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer has a stake in Zodiac Maritime. MSC confirmed that the Aries had been detained and that it was in contact with the relevant parties to ensure the safety of its 25 crew members.

The seizure of the ship came shortly after the IRGC's naval operations chief mentioned the possibility of blocking the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israel.

The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman, and at its narrowest point is about 33 km long, and is the gateway to the Gulf and the Indian Ocean. About a fifth of the world 's crude oil and petrochemicals pass through the strait, making it one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints.

Location of Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. Graphic: CSIS

Thanh Danh (According to Times of Israel, LBC )

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