Indian authorities will soon be able to meet 17 crew members of seized ship in Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Monday said it will allow Indian authorities to meet 17 Indian crew members of a cargo vessel seized by the Iranian military near the Strait of Hormuz.

Amir-Abdollahian informed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar about the meeting with Indian authorities in a telephonic conversation, according to an Iranian readout as quoted by news agency PTI. 

“We are following up on the details of the seized ship and soon it will be possible for the representatives of the Indian government to meet with the crew of the said ship," the Iranian minister said in the readout. 

"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 said in a post on X on Sunday.

Jaishankar had earlier expressed concern about the situation of the 17 Indian crew members stuck on the cargo ship ‘MSC Aries’, and requested assistance from the Iranian authorities. 

He called for the early release of Indians onboard Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel. The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is also working closely with relevant authorities for the welfare of all 25 crew members and the return of the vessel, the company said.

The crew comprised Indian, Pakistani, Russian, Estonian, and Filipino nationals. Zodiac Maritime Shipping Company, which is partially controlled by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer, operates the Portuguese-flagged vessel, said Iranian newswire IRNA.

The state news agency reported that MCS Aries was seized by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Special Naval soldiers on Saturday. The soldiers also conducted a heliborne operation on the ship's deck, steering her toward Iranian territorial waters.

The Iranian action overlaps with its first direct attack on Israel by firing hundreds of drones and missiles weeks after Israel attacked on its consulate in Syria killing seven Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards.
India has called for immediate de-escalation and alerted its embassies in the region to stay in close touch with the Indian community there.

"We are seriously concerned at the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran which threatens the peace and security in the region. We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy," the Ministry of External Affairs said.