US, UK call on Iran to release Israel-linked ship
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Apr 13, 2024
Tehran, IRNA -- The US and the UK have called on Iran to release an Israel-liked ship it seized in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.
Members of the Special Naval Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) seized MCS Aries container ship after carrying out a heliborne operation on the vessel's deck, directing it towards Iran's territorial waters.
In a post on social media platform X, White House National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson "strongly condemned" the seizure and called on Iran to release the vessel "immediately".
The UK reacted as well. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, on his X account, called the seizure "unacceptable" and demanded "the unconditional release" of the vessel.
The British minister claimed that his country is working with "partners to prevent escalation in the Middle East".
The seizure of MCS Aries, a Portuguese flagged cargo ship operated by the Zodiac Maritime Shipping Company that is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer, comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and Israel over the regime's attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1.
Iran strongly condemned the attack as a violation of international law and conventions, and promised to take revenge.
Reports from the Israeli-occupied territories show that the regime is on high alert amid a possible retaliatory attack by Iran.
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