https://sputniknews.in/20240415/iran-to-allow-indian-representatives-aboard-seized-israel-linked-vessel-7136798.html

Iran to Allow Indian Representatives Aboard Seized Israel-Linked Vessel

Sputnik India

India's top diplomat S Jaishankar held telephone calls with both Iranian and Israeli foreign ministers on Sunday evening, hours after Iran launched unprecedented strikes against Israel.

2024-04-15T11:27+0530

2024-04-15T14:36+0530

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Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has told Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar that Tehran would soon allow access of Indian government representatives to the merchant vessel MSC Aries seized by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) on Saturday.The two foreign ministers spoke on Sunday evening. The Iranian foreign ministry readout of the call was released on Monday.Earlier, reports suggested that the vessel's crew comprised Indian, Russian, Filipino, Estonian and Pakistani citizens.Portuguese-flagged tanker was travelling from the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Mumbai's Nhava Sheva port on Saturday, when IRGC's naval commandos on a chopper intercepted it in the Strait of Hormuz and took control of the vessel, according to IRNA news agency.Iranian media reported that MSC Aries, operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Corporation (MSC), is linked to Zodiac Maritime, which is run by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer.The incident took place almost a day before Iran launched surface-to-surface missiles, drones and cruise missiles on Israel in retaliation to the deadly Israeli strike against Iranian Embassy's consular section in Damascus on 1 April.Jaishankar Calls for De-escalationThe Indian foreign minister said that he also discussed the situation in the Middle East with Amirabdollahian during their call.The top Iranian diplomat urged India to continue pressing for a ceasefire in Gaza, which he described as the "root cause" of the escalating tensions in the region.Indian EAM Speaks to Israeli FMThe Indian diplomat said that he shared India's concern at the developments in the region.

https://sputniknews.in/20240414/iran-israel-conflict-india-should-step-in-to-defend-its-interests-in-middle-east-7130813.html

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Iran to Allow Indian Representatives Aboard Seized Israel-Linked Vessel

11:27 15.04.2024 (Updated: 14:36 15.04.2024)

MSC Aris - Sputnik India, 1920, 15.04.2024

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India's top diplomat S Jaishankar held telephone calls with both Iranian and Israeli foreign ministers on Sunday evening, hours after Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israel.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has told Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar that Tehran would soon allow access of Indian government representatives to the merchant vessel MSC Aries seized by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) on Saturday.

The two foreign ministers spoke on Sunday evening. The Iranian foreign ministry readout of the call was released on Monday.

Jaishankar said after the call that he took up the "release of 17 Indian crew members" aboard MSC Aries, the first time India has publicly acknowledged the presence of Indian citizens on the ship.

Earlier, reports suggested that the vessel's crew comprised Indian, Russian, Filipino, Estonian and Pakistani citizens.

Portuguese-flagged tanker was travelling from the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Mumbai's Nhava Sheva port on Saturday, when IRGC's naval commandos on a chopper intercepted it in the Strait of Hormuz and took control of the vessel, according to IRNA news agency.

Iranian media reported that MSC Aries, operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Corporation (MSC), is linked to Zodiac Maritime, which is run by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer.

The incident took place almost a day before Iran launched surface-to-surface missiles, drones and cruise missiles on Israel in retaliation to the deadly Israeli strike against Iranian Embassy's consular section in Damascus on 1 April.

Jaishankar Calls for De-escalation

The Indian foreign minister said that he also discussed the situation in the Middle East with Amirabdollahian during their call.

Jaishankar said that he "stressed the importance of avoiding escalation, exercising restraint and returning to diplomacy".

Amirabdollahian, for his part, justified Iranian strikes on Israel under its 'Right to Self-Defence' mandated in the UN Charter.

The top Iranian diplomat urged India to continue pressing for a ceasefire in Gaza, which he described as the "root cause" of the escalating tensions in the region.