Iranian troops accused of seizing Israel-linked ship

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: BBC

Iran has been accused of seizing a commercial ship with links to Israel early on Saturday morning as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz.

The MSC Aries was boarded by Iranian special forces about 50 miles (80km) off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, a statement from MSC said.
...
The Portuguese-flagged ship is linked to Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer.
...
The country's state news agency, Irna, said the naval branch of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) had seized the MSC Aries as it was "linked to Israel". It added that the ship was in the process of being transported to Iranian waters.

Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68806508

[Swede]

1. Tit meets tat.

This could spiral badly.

[Beastly Boy]

2. Iranian troops confirm seizing Israel-linked ship

Iran's state-run IRNA said a special forces unit of the Guard's navy carried out the attack on the vessel, the Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries, a container ship associated with London-based Zodiac Maritime. Zodiac Maritime is part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer's Zodiac Group. Zodiac declined to comment and referred questions to MSC. Geneva-based MSC later acknowledged the seizure and said 25 crew had been aboard the vessel.

"We are working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure their wellbeing, and safe return of the vessel," MSC said.

An Indian government official, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to brief to journalists, said 17 of the crew were Indians.

IRNA said the Guard would take the vessel into Iranian territorial waters.

Earlier, a Middle East defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, shared a video of the attack with The Associated Press. In it, the Iranian commandos are seen rappelling down onto a stack of containers sitting on the deck of the vessel.

https://www.npr.org/2024/04/13/1244583830/iran-seizes-container-ship-strait-of-hormuz-israel

This is piracy, BTW.

[Bucky]

3. Well great, now they've pissed off the Portuguese

Last edited Sat Apr 13, 2024, 02:19 PM - Edit history (1)

[cstanleytech]

4. Could be worse as it could be Spain because nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[GB_RN]

5. Gasp! Not...The Inquisition!

?si=vqqafhvzRjT3Ftue

[cstanleytech]

6. More like