Iran has released all the crew members of the Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel MSC Aries, including 17 Indian nationals and an Estonian cadet, Ann Tessa Joseph. The release followed a phone conversation between Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian and his Estonian counterpart, Margus Tsahkna.
The vessel was seized by Iran’s military on April 13 for allegedly turning off its radar in Iranian territorial waters and endangering navigation security. Abdollahian stated that the ship is detained under judicial rules, but the crew members were released on humanitarian grounds.
If the ship’s captain accompanies them, the crew, including the Estonians, can return to their home countries.
Hours after the Iranian military seized the vessel, White House National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson had said the ship’s crew comprised Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Russian, and Estonian nationals.
