MSC Aries seized near Strait of Hormuz, official Irna agency says. Seizure comes in context of high tensions linked to the war in Gaza.
U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday he expected Iran to take action “soon” Yemeni Houthi rebels, who say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, have carried out dozens of attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since October, disrupting global maritime trade in this strategic area. The MSC Aries “flies the Portuguese flag and is managed by the Zodiac company, which belongs to the Zionist capitalist Eyal Ofer,” Zodiac says. The vessel is held by Gortal Shipping Inc as financier and it has been leased to MSC on a long-term basis, the company says. MSC is responsible for all ship activities, including cargo operations and maintenance, Zodiac adds. The ship was seized by maritime special forces of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Irna says.