17 Indian nationals onboard Israeli-linked cargo ship seized by Iranian forces

India is in touch with Iran to secure the release of 17 Indians on board an Israelilinked cargo ship that was seized by the Iranian military near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday amid fears that Tehran may retaliate for a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus on April 1Official sources said India has called on Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels both in Tehran and in Delhi to ensure the welfare and early release of the 17 Indian crew members of the cargo ship MSC AriesWe are aware that a cargo ship MSC Aries has been taken control by Iran We have learnt that there are 17 Indian nationals onboard an Indian government source said We are in touch with the Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels both in Tehran and in Delhi to ensure security welfare and early release of Indian nationals it saidThe Mediterranean Shipping Company MSC said it is working closely with relevant authorities for the wellbeing of the 25 crew members and the return of the vesselThe Iranian action came amid heightened fears that Tehran may launch an attack on Israel in retaliation to a strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria 12 days ago Iran blamed Israel for the strikeIranian news agency IRNA reported that the Portugueseflagged vessel is operated by the Zodiac Maritime Shipping Company which is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer It said Special Naval Forces of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps IRGC seized MCS Aries near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday adding the forces carried out a heliborne operation on the ships deck directing it towards Irans territorial watersAmid the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Iran will bear the consequences for choosing to escalate the situation any furtherOn Friday US President Joe Biden cautioned Iran against an attack on Israel We are devoted to the defence of Israel We will support Israel We will defend help defend Israel And Iran will not succeed he told reportersIn a brief update the UKs Maritime Trade Operations agency mentioned the seizing of the ship by regional authorities off the coast of Fujairah in the UAE It did not mention the involvement of Iranian forcesThere have been mounting tensions in West Asia following the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1 Iranian media reported that seven Revolutionary Guards personnel including two generals were killed in the attackFollowing the seizure of the cargo ship by the Iranian military Israels Foreign Minister Israel Katz called on the international community to immediately declare the Iranian Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps have seized a Portuguese civilian cargo ship belonging to an EU member claiming Israeli ownership he said on XI call on the European Union and the free world to immediately declare the Iranian Revolutionary Guards corps as a terrorist organization and to sanction Iran now he addedAccording to some reports the ship was coming to Indias Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust JNPT through the United Arab Emirates However there is no official confirmation of itIndia had on Friday asked its citizens not to travel to Iran and IsraelThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever