Iran has initiated the release of the crew of the Portuguese-flagged ship MSC Aries, which was seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the Strait of Hormuz on April 13.
The Portuguese Government announced that seven crew members of the MSC Aries detained by Iran’s, were released on May 9. The countries of nationality of these seven crew members, specifically were: five Indian citizens, one Filipino, and one Estonian, who was the sole European Union citizen on board.
Diplomacy is a powerful tool. After nearly 4⃣ weeks of intense negotiations, meetings & calls, #Estonian resident onboard seized #MSCAries was released today.
Grateful for the relentless efforts taken by our diplomatic corps & international partners. https://t.co/2UXYB9PE3z pic.twitter.com/ZoyDgzUTSa
— Margus Tsahkna (@Tsahkna) May 9, 2024
At present, the crew on board consisted of 17 members, as one Indian citizen had left the ship beforehand. Meanwhile, Iran had described the crew release as a humanitarian act, but the vessel remains under Iranian control. According to Iran’s foreign ministry, the Aries was seized for violating maritime law.
The Portuguese government welcomes this development, for which it had strongly advocated for. Nonetheless, it reiterates to the Iranian Government that international law requires the immediate release of the remaining crew members and of the ship MSC Aries.
… said the Portuguese Government in a statement
