Iranian commandos storm container ship linked to Israel: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard troops rope into vessel from helicopter and seize it – as fears mount Tehran could launch massive missile attack on Tel Aviv
Iranian commandos stormed a container ship bound for Israel as it traveled through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime passages.
Special forces from the naval branch of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boarded the MSC Aries about 50 miles off the coast of the United Arab Emirates early Saturday.
Footage of the mission taken by a crew member shows at least three commandos rappelling down a rope from a helicopter onto the vessel, a Portuguese-flagged container ship linked to Israeli shipping magnate Eyal Ofer.
The 1,201-foot-long and 168-foot-wide ship left the UAE port of Khalifa and was due to arrive in the Indian city of Nhava Sheva before the attack, the latest escalation in tensions between which many fear could lead to Tehran launching a military offensive against Israel.
Tracking data last placed the MSC Aries near the coast of Dubai just over a day ago. The ship appears to have turned off tracking data around that time.
Footage of the mission taken by a crew member shows at least three commandos rappelling down a rope from a helicopter onto the craft
MSC Aries (pictured) is towed into Iranian waters
A missile is fired during a military exercise in southern Iran
Iranians take part in the funeral procession for seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who were killed in an attack in Syria that Iran blamed on Israel
The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations agency confirmed the boarding but did not mention Iran, instead saying the vessel was “reported to have been seized by regional authorities.”
It later said ‘authorities’ were investigating the incident, but gave no further details.
Iran’s state news agency said Iranian commandos were involved in the boarding and said the vessel was transported to Iranian waters, although Iranian officials have yet to comment on the seizure.
This was also confirmed by the ship’s parent company, which said the ship ‘has since been diverted from its itinerary towards Iran.’
The company added: “We are working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure their well-being and the safe return of the vessel.”
The White House said the ship’s crew consisted of Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Russian and Estonian nationals, and an Indian government official added that 17 Indian nationals were aboard the Aries.
White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said: ‘We call on Iran to release the vessel and its international crew immediately.
At least three commandos were seen leaving the guards shop
A handout photo provided by the Iranian Supreme Leader’s Office shows Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praying over the coffins of members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) killed in Syria
‘Seizing a civilian vessel without provocation is a flagrant violation of international law and an act of piracy by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated foreign terrorist organization.
‘It must be condemned unequivocally and we will work with our partners to hold Iran to account for its actions.’
The Indian official said so FT: “We are in touch with the Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and in Delhi, to ensure (the) safety, welfare and early release of Indian nationals.”
MSC charters the Aries from Gortal Shipping, a subsidiary of Zodiac Maritime, Zodiac said in a statement, adding that MSC is responsible for all of the vessel’s activities. Zodiac is partially owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.
In response to Iran’s attack on the container ship, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz took to X to say: ‘The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has seized a Portuguese civilian cargo ship belonging to an EU member and claims Israeli ownership.
‘The Ayatollah regime is a criminal regime that supports the crimes of Hamas and is now conducting a pirate operation in violation of international law.
A before and after of the Iranian embassy attack
Rescue workers search the rubble of a building annexed to the Iranian embassy
‘I call on the EU and the free world to immediately declare the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization and sanction Iran now.’
Meanwhile, UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said: ‘Iran’s seizure of the cargo ship MSC Aries is unacceptable and a clear violation of international law.
‘We call for the unconditional release of the ship and its crew without delay. We are working with partners to prevent escalation in the Middle East. Iran must stop its destabilizing behavior immediately.’
On Tuesday, the Revolutionary Guards’ naval chief, Alireza Tangsiri, said it could close the Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran and the United Arab Emirates, if deemed necessary.
He said Iran viewed as a threat Israel’s presence in the United Arab Emirates, with which Israel established diplomatic relations in 2020 as part of the ‘Abraham deal’ brokered by the United States.
Analyst Hasan Alhasan of the International Institute for Strategic Studies said that if the seizure of the MSC Aries was retaliation for Israel’s attack on Iran’s Damascus consulate, it showed a desire to save face without a wider escalation.
Houthi supporters shout slogans during a demonstration marking Al-Quds Day in Sana’a, Yemen
An Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Shahed-136, is displayed at Azadi (Freedom Square) in western Tehran, Iran
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei leads Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in Tehran
“Iran may be trying to play on fears that it could obstruct shipping through the strait, a passage of greater importance to global oil and gas supplies than the Red Sea,” he said.
“If Iran were to limit itself to seizing commercial ships associated with Israel, it would minimize the risk of a full-scale conflict but damage its own credibility,” he added.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group has disrupted global commerce with attacks on shipping in the Red Sea for months, saying it is targeting ships linked to Israel in retaliation for Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
The US and UK have previously carried out strikes against Houthi targets in response to the attacks on shipping.
The Joint Maritime Information Center, run by a Western-led naval coalition, said vessels intending to navigate the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy routes, should exercise caution and not loiter.
Iran has previously vowed to retaliate against Israel after its military carried out a missile attack on its embassy in the Syrian capital, Damascus, which left 12 people dead, including two top generals.
Israel has still not publicly commented on the attack, but its allies have warned Iran that support for Israel is ‘ironclad’.
US President Joe Biden said at a press conference on Thursday: ‘As I told Prime Minister Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel’s security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad. Let me say that again: iron clad. We will do everything we can to protect Israel’s security.’
Biden’s top diplomat, Anthony Blinken, confirmed his words, telling Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in a phone call that the United States will stand behind Israel if Iran decides to attack.
Last week, Major General Rahim Safavi, who served as commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said none of Israel’s embassies were safe after the missile attack.
American officials said New York Times that Iran is likely to attack more targets in Israel in the next few days.
Little is known about the potential attacks, including what form they might take, what kinds of targets will be involved, and exactly when they will take place.