By helicopter

Iranian Revolutionary Guards detain ship

Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have detained a container ship belonging to an Israeli.(Bild: X (vormals Twitter) / krone.tv)

The navy of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) has captured a container ship with links to Israel. Footage shows a commando rappelling from a military helicopter onto the deck of the ship.

The ship has a connection to Israel and is located in the Persian Gulf region, reported the Tasnim news agency, which is considered the mouthpiece of the IRGC, on Saturday. A photo distributed by the agency shows a commando rappelling from a military helicopter onto the deck of the ship. No further information was initially available.

The UKMTO, which belongs to the British Navy, had previously reported the case and located it in the Gulf of Oman, around 50 nautical miles north-east of the port city of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. Iran's navy had already seized oil tankers and container ships in these waters in the past. 

Footage shows a commando rappelling from a military helicopter onto the deck of the ship.(Bild: X (vormals Twitter) / krone.tv)

According to reports, the ship in question is the MCS Aries, which flies the Portuguese flag but has an Israeli owner. The 366-meter-long ship was on its way from the United Arab Emirates to India. The last position was received on Friday afternoon.

Israel's Foreign Minister: "Pirate action"
Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz spoke of a "pirate action" that would violate international law. On Platform X, he called on the European Union to impose new sanctions against the Iranian government and to classify the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization.

Since the outbreak of war in the Middle East, conflicts have also increased significantly on the sea routes. The Houthis in particular, who are linked to Iran, have regularly attacked tankers on their way to Israel. Major shipping companies are increasingly avoiding the Red Sea route, the shortest sea route between Asia and Europe.