Line 1:
{{Short description|2024 maritime incident}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
[[File:Strait of Hormuz-svg-en.svg|thumb|[[Strait of Hormuz]], location of the seizure]]
On 13 April 2024, [[Iran]] seized '''''MSC Aries''','' a Portuguese-[[PortugalShip registration|Portuguese-registered]] and [[Flag of Madeira|Madeira-flagged]] [[container ship]] owned by Gortal Shipping and leased to [[Mediterranean Shipping Company]] (MSC). The ship, with a crew of 25 people, was boarded by Iranian [[commando]]s in the [[Strait of Hormuz]], within international waters off the coast of the [[United Arab Emirates]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.business-standard.com/amp/external-affairs-defence-security/news/amid-growing-global-tension-iranian-soldiers-raid-vessel-near-oman-report-124041300376_1.html |title=Amid rising tension, Iran's troops raid Israel-linked ship near UAE: Report |work=Business Standard |agency=Associated Press |date=13 April 2024 |access-date=21 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=13 April 2024 |title=Iran seizes large container ship MSC Aries in Strait of Hormuz |url=https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/casualty/iran-seizes-large-container-ship-msc-aries-strait-hormuz |work=Seatrade Maritime News |access-date=21 April 2024 |last=Howard |first=Gary}}</ref> and taken to Iranian waters, effectively imprisoning the crew.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Hand |first=Marcus |date=2024-04-14 April 2024 |title=US and UK call for immediate release of MSC Aries seized by Iran |url=https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/containers/us-and-uk-call-immediate-release-msc-aries-seized-iran |website=Seatrade Maritime News |access-date=21 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Schuetze |first=Christopher F. |date=2024-04-13 April 2024 |title=Iran Seizes Commercial Ship Linked to Israel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/13/world/middleeast/iran-seizes-ship-israel-hormuz.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=21 April 2024}}</ref>
The [[United States]], [[United Kingdom]], and Portugal (where the ship is registered) called for the ship's immediate release immediately afterwards.<ref name=":1" /> On 3 May, Iran released the crew, but retained control of the vessel.
== Background ==
Since 2019, Iran has engaged in heightened naval action against European, American and Israeli shipping, persistently attacking various vessels and seizing ships amidst political issues,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/17-indians-among-25-crew-on-ship-seized-by-iran-india-in-touch-with-iranian-authorities-say-sources/articleshow/109273322.cms? |work=The Economic Times |title=17 Indians among 25 crew on ship seized by Iran; India in touch with Iran to secure release of Indians |date=2024-04-14 April 2024|access-date=2024-04-18 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=US Navy says it prevented Iran from seizing tankers in Gulf of Oman |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/shots-fired-oil-tanker-gulf-maritime-security-bodies-2023-07-05/ |access-date=18 April 2024 |work=Reuters |date=6 July 2023-07-06}}</ref> dubbed "[[piracy]]" by Israeli outlets in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-29 April 2023 |title=Iran continues piracy against foreign vessels -– analysis |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-741589 |access-date=2024-04-13 April 2024 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}}</ref> Both the 1958 Geneva Convention on the High Seas and article 101(1)(a) of the [[United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea]] (UNCLOS) state that piracy occurs on the high seas. Additionally, Article 58(2) of UNCLOS states that piracy can occur in an [[exclusive economic zone]]. Violent acts against ships in the [[territorial waters|territorial sea]] of any State cannot be piracy under [[international law]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Modern Piracy: Legal Challenges and Responses |date=30 April 2013 |publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing |isbn=9781849804844 |editor-last=GuilfoyleFrantzman |editor-first=DouglasSeth |pages=325–366 |chapter=Chapter 14: Policy tensions and the legal regime governing piracyJ.}}</ref> Violent acts in [[territorial waters|territorial seas]] are [[robbery|armed robbery]] under the law of the [[International Maritime Organization]].<ref>[http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Security/PiracyArmedRobbery/Guidance/Documents/A.1025.pdf ''Code of Practice for the Investigation of Crimes of Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships, 2019.'' International Maritime Organization. Retrieved March 24, 2020.]</ref> The event occurred during an escalation between Iran and Israel during the [[Iran–Israel proxy conflict|proxy war between Israel and Iran]] and [[Hamas]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-11 January 2024 |title=On Hamas, what did Qatar know and when did it know it? |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/west-search-truth-qatar-israel-hamas-war/ |access-date=2024-04-13 April 2024 |website=POLITICOPolitico |languagefirst=en-GBMatthew |last=Karnitschnig}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-14 October 2023 |title=Qatar, Iran, Turkey and beyond: Hamas's network of allies |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20231014-qatar-iran-turkey-and-beyond-the-galaxy-of-hamas-supporters |access-date=2024-04-13 April 2024 |website=France 24 |languagelast=enMounier |first=Jean-Luc}}</ref> United States president [[Joe Biden]] warned Iran not to escalate the situation in the week preceding the incident.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-12 April 2024 |title=Biden predicts impending Iranian attack on Israel as nations brace for regional escalation |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-796744 |access-date=2024-04-14 April 2024 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}}</ref>
==''MSC Aries''==
Line 61 ⟶ 62:
}}
|}
''MSC Aries'' is a [[container ship]] built in 2020. As of 2024 the ship is [[Portugal|Portuguese-registered]] and [[Flag of Madeira|Madeira-flagged]]. She has a length of {{convert|366|m|ftin}} and a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|51|m|ftin}}. It has a {{GT|149,525|disp=long}} and a summer tonnage of {{DWT|158,097|disp=long}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/9857169 |title=MSC Aries |website=VesselFinder.com |access-date=21 April 2024}}</ref> The ship is leased by MSC from Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of [[Zodiac Maritime]],<ref name=Reuters>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-says-msc-aries-vessel-seized-violating-maritime-laws-2024-04-15/ |title=Iran says MSC Aries vessel seized for 'violating maritime laws' |work=Reuters |date=2024-04-15 April 2024|access-date=2024-04-18 April 2024}}</ref> with MSC directing the ship’sship's activities.<ref name="elp1">{{cite news |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2024-04-13/iranian-forces-seize-ship-linked-to-israeli-businessman-in-strait-of-hormuz.html |title=Iranian forces seize ship linked to Israeli businessman in Strait of Hormuz |work=El País |last1=Pita |first1=Antonio |last2=Bronte |first2=Trinidad Deiros |date=13 April 2024 |access-date=21 April 2024}}</ref>
== Events ==
On the morning of 13 April 2024, [[Iran's Revolutionary Guards]] boarded and took control of ''MSC Aries'' via helicopter, claiming that it had violated maritime law.<ref name=Reuters/> The seizure of the ship occurred in international waters near the UAE coast.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Israeli Army Warns Of "Consequences" After Iran Seizes Ship Off UAE Coast |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/ship-seized-off-uae-amid-mideast-tensions-3-fast-roping-from-helicopter-5433272 |access-date=2024-04-13 April 2024 |website=NDTV.com |agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref> The Israeli foreign minister called the Iranian action an act of international piracy, in alignment with international law. The Iranian military subsequently took the ship and its crew to Iranian waters.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-13 April 2024 |title=Iran committing piracy, Israeli foreign minister says |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-796787 |access-date=2024-04-13 April 2024 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |languageagency=enReuters}}</ref> The 25 crew members onboard comprised 17 Indians, four Filipinos, two Pakistanis, one Russian and one Estonian national.<ref>{{cite news |title=17 Indians among 25 crew onboard Israel-linked cargo vessel seized by Iran |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/video-shows-raid-on-ship-near-strait-of-hormuz-mideast-official-says-iran-carried-out-the-attack/article68061294.ece |website=[[The Hindu]] |date=13 April 2024 |access-date=14 April 2024}}</ref>
On 27 April, the Iranian Foreign Minister [[Hossein Amirabdollahian]] announced that the 24 remaining crew of ''MSC Aries'' being held were given access to their respective consulates, and would be released.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran says crew of Israel-linked ship to be released |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-says-crew-israel-linked-ship-be-released-2024-04-27/ |access-date=27 April 2024 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Houthis Attack MSC Vessel in Indian Ocean |url=https://sourcingjournal.com/topics/logistics/msc-orion-houthi-drone-attack-vessel-indian-ocean-red-sea-container-shipping-hapag-lloyd-sea-intelligence-508952/ |access-date=1 May 2024 |work=Sourcing Journal}}</ref> On 3 May, he announced that the crew was released, but the vessel remained under the control of Iran.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-03 |title=Iran says crew of Israel-linked ship freed |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/iran-says-crew-of-israel-linked-ship-freed-799707 |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}}</ref>
==Reaction==
Following the incident, the Israeli foreign minister called on the [[European Union]] to sanction the IRGC.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last1=Eichner |first1=Itamar |last2=Ben-Ari |first2=Lior |date=2024-04-13 |title=שר החוץ קרא להטיל סנקציות על איראן אחרי ההשתלטות על הספינה. יועץ לחמינאי: "ישראל בפאניקה" |trans-title=The Foreign Minister called for sanctions to be imposed on Iran after the seizure of the ship. Advisor to Khamenei: "Israel is in a panic" |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/r1uncl00gr |access-date=2024-04-13 |work=Ynet |language=he}}</ref> [[Joe Biden]] shortened his vacation and returned to the [[White House]] for "security consultations," and defence secretary [[Lloyd Austin]] called the Israeli defence minister, [[Yoav Gallant]], and said Israel can rely on the United States.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Adelson |first=Daniel |date=2024-04-13 |title=ביידן מקצר את חופשתו בצל החשש מנקמה איראנית. גלנט שוחח עם אוסטין: "הוספנו יכולות חדשות" |trans-title=Biden cuts his vacation short amid fears of Iranian retaliation. Gallant talked to Austin: "We added new capabilities" |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/rkx0dn00ga |access-date=2024-04-13 |work=Ynet |language=he}}</ref>▼
== See also Reactions==
▲Following the incident, the Israeli foreign minister [[Israel Katz]] called on the [[European Union]] to sanction the IRGC.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last1=Eichner |first1=Itamar |last2=Ben-Ari |first2=Lior |date=2024-04-13 April 2024 |title=שר החוץ קרא להטיל סנקציות על איראן אחרי ההשתלטות על הספינה. יועץ לחמינאי: "ישראל בפאניקה" |trans-title=The Foreign Minister called for sanctions to be imposed on Iran after the seizure of the ship. Advisor to Khamenei: "Israel is in a panic" |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/r1uncl00gr |access-date=2024-04-13 April 2024 |work=Ynet |language=he}}</ref> [[Joe Biden]] shortened his vacation and returned to the [[White House]] for "security consultations," and defence secretary [[Lloyd Austin]] called the Israeli defence minister, [[Yoav Gallant]], and said Israel can rely on the United States.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Adelson |first=Daniel |date=2024-04-13 April 2024 |title=ביידן מקצר את חופשתו בצל החשש מנקמה איראנית. גלנט שוחח עם אוסטין: "הוספנו יכולות חדשות" |trans-title=Biden cuts his vacation short amid fears of Iranian retaliation. Gallant talked to Austin: "We added new capabilities" |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/rkx0dn00ga |access-date=2024-04-13 April 2024 |work=Ynet |language=he}}</ref> On 18 April, 16 shipping associations sent a joint letter to the United Nations requesting every effort to release the captive crew of ''MSC Aries'', and for "enhanced military presence, missions and patrols in the region to protect seafarers".<ref>{{cite news |title=Industry appeals to UN over MSC Aries seizure |url=https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/containers/industry-appeals-un-over-msc-aries-seizure |access-date=4 May 2024 |work=SeatradeMarine News}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[2024 Iranian strikes in Israel]]▼
▲* [[April 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel|April 2024 Iranian strikes in Israel]]
== Footnotes ==
<references group="lower-alpha" responsive="1"></references>
== References ==
Line 86:
[[Category:Iran–Israel proxy conflict]]
[[Category:Iran–Israel military relations]]
[[Category:History of the RedPersian SeaGulf]]
[[Category:April 2024 events in Asia]]
[[Category:April 2024 events in Israel]]
[[Category:April 2024 events in Iran]]
[[Category:2024 in Iran]]
[[Category:2024 in Israel]]
[[Category:Strait of Hormuz]]
[[Category:History of Madeira]]
[[Category:Iran–Portugal relations]]
[[Category:International maritime incidents]]
[[Category:2024 in international relations]]
| 
Article Images