Iran frees 5 Indian crew members from seized vessel

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) - India on Thursday said five sailors aboard cargo ship MSC Aries, seized by Iran, have been released and have departed from Iran.

“5 of the Indian sailors on MSC Aries have been released and departed from Iran today evening,” the Indian Embassy in Iran wrote on X. “We appreciate the Iranian authorities for their close coordination with the Embassy and Indian Consulate in Bandar Abbas.”

Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) had seized the Portuguese-flagged container ship MSC Aries in the Strait of Hormuz last month. The ship was seized on April 13 by the marine unit of the IRGC in a special heliborne operation, for "violating maritime laws," according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

On April 18, the Indian Foreign Ministry said that an Indian woman cadet on the vessel MSC Aries was released and arrived in India.

A week later, on April 25, the ministry during a weekly briefing said that India got the consular access for the other "16 Indian sailors onboard the vessel who are in good health and India was in touch with Iran over their release."

MSC in a statement on April 15 had said 25 crew were onboard the vessel and it is “working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure their wellbeing, and safe return of the vessel.”