Iran announced that it has freed the entire crew of the Portuguese-flagged container ship “MSC Aries“ almost three weeks after the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) seized it in the Strait of Hormuz, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
"The entire crew was released for humanitarian reasons and can return to their countries of origin,", Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdolakhian said yesterday in a telephone conversation with his Estonian counterpart Margus Tsakhkna, quoted by Iran's official IRNA news agency.
However, Abdolakhian indicated that the seizure of the ship was justified and in accordance with international rules, as the container ship had switched off its transponder, thereby endangering the safety of shipping in the Gulf.
KGIR seized the container ship “MSC Aries“ with a crew of 25 in the Strait of Hormuz on April 13, days after Tehran vowed to retaliate for an alleged Israeli attack on its consulate in the Syrian capital, Damascus. Iran has said it may close this important sea route, according to Reuters.