IRGC seizes ‘Israeli’ ship: Iranian media

According to Iran’s official media, the Revolutionary Guard has seized a container ship belonging to Israel in the Gulf on Saturday.

According to IRNA, the guards of the Navy’s special forces have seized a container ship called ‘MCS Aries’ by operating a helicopter.

An informed source in the IRGC Navy confirmed the seizure of a foreign vessel affiliated with the Zionist regime in the Persian Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, adding that further details will be announced soon. pic.twitter.com/fw7YCGOb6A

— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) April 13, 2024

According to the news agency AFP, “This operation took place near the Strait of Hormuz and now the ship has been diverted to the maritime borders of Iran.”

IRNA says that an informed source of the IRGC Navy has confirmed the seizure of a “foreign ship belonging to the Zionist regime” in the Persian Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz, while at the same time stating that more in this regard. Details will be released soon.

On the other hand, according to the news agency AFP, the White House has said that US President Joe Biden has cut short his visit to Delaware on Saturday for urgent consultations in Washington about the Middle East.

The White House has condemned the seizure of the ship. “We call on Iran to immediately release the ship and its international crew,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said.

He said that the seizure of a civilian ship without any provocation is a clear violation of international laws and an act of piracy by the Revolutionary Guards.

Ever since the Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria in recent days, Iran has repeatedly said that it will ‘take revenge’ for the attack.

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In this regard, US President Joe Biden also said on Friday that he expects Iran to attack Israel very soon. However, at the same time, he has warned Iran to refrain from any such attack.

According to the Reuters news agency, maritime security agencies have said on Saturday that a ship has been seized by “regional authorities” between the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

UK Maritime Operations (UKMTO) said the vessel was seized 50 nautical miles north-east of Fujairah. According to them, this area is near the Strait of Hormuz, which forms the entrance to the Gulf.