New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Sunday and took up the discharge of 17 Indian crew members of the ship, MSC Aries, seized by the Gulf nation.
The two leaders additionally mentioned the present scenario within the area and harassed the significance of avoiding escalation.
In a submit on X, Jaishankar wrote, “Spoke to Iranian FM @Amirabdolahian this evening. Took up the release of 17 Indian crew members of MSC Aries. Discussed the current situation in the region.”
“Stressed the importance of avoiding escalation, exercising restraint and returning to diplomacy. Agreed to remain in touch,” he added.
Earlier right this moment, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote a letter to External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to make sure the protection of Indian nationals, together with these from Kerala, onboard the Israel-linked ship ‘MSC Aries’ within the Strait of Hormuz.
CM Vijayan in his letter to the External Affairs Minister, stated that, as per reviews which can be accessible, three among the many crew, particularly Shri Sumesh, PV Dhanesh and Syamnath, have been confirmed to be natives of Kerala.
“I am writing to you to share my government’s concern regarding the safety and welfare of Indian nationals who are the crew members of the ship MSC Aries, which was seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards near the Strait of Hormuz. As per the reports available, three among the crew, namely Shri Sumesh, PV Dhanesh and Syamnath, have been confirmed to be natives of Kerala,” he wrote within the letter.
Saying that the ship’s seizure has induced nice concern, he said that the “collective objective at this point of time is the safe repatriation of all our nationals, including those from Kerala, back to India without any delay.”
Israel-linked cargo ship ‘MSC Aries’ seized by Iran on Saturday close to the Strait of Hormuz had 17 Indian nationals onboard, based on the sources.
“We are aware that a cargo ship ‘MSC Aries’ has been taken over by Iran. We have learned that there are 17 Indian nationals onboard,” the sources stated.
Sources are in contact with Iranian authorities via diplomatic channels, each in Tehran and in Delhi.
“We are in touch with the Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and in Delhi, to ensure the security, welfare and early release of Indian nationals,” the sources added.
Notably, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy seized the Israel-linked MSC ARIES container ship close to the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, The Times of Israel reported, citing an Iranian information company.
The MSC Aries was final seen on Friday, crusing in the direction of the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Dubai, based on The Times of Israel. The ship is at the moment crusing via the Persian Gulf, based on the ship-tracking website, Marine Traffic.
Tensions escalated between Iran and the West amid the continuing battle between Israel and Hamas.
Iran launched its first direct assault on Israel on Saturday evening, launching a barrage of 300 assault drones and missiles from its territory in the direction of the Jewish state, triggering air raid sirens all through Israel on Sunday morning because the navy tried to intercept the Iranian projectiles, the Times of Israel reported.
The onset of the assault was confirmed by IDF spokesman Hagari at 11 pm.Â
