Hope is rising for the 17 Indian crew members held on a Portuguese-flagged ship seized by Iran two weeks ago. During a call between Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and Portugal's counterpart, Paulo Rangel, Iran made significant moves.
They announced they are seriously considering the crew's release and will grant consular access – key steps towards the crew's possible extradition.
This potential breakthrough comes amidst ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran. Let's recap:
- The Seizure: Iran's Revolutionary Guard seized the Israel-linked cargo ship MSC Aries near the Strait of Hormuz on April 13th. Iranian officials alleged the ship violated maritime laws, but the seizure was widely seen as retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike against Iran earlier in the month.
- India's Response: India immediately sought the release of its citizens. One Indian woman, Ann Tessa Joseph, was released on April 18th thanks to coordinated efforts between Indian and Iranian governments. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with his Iranian counterpart, stressing "the importance of avoiding escalation, exercising restraint, and returning to diplomacy.
- Details of Iran's Announcement: Iran frames the potential crew release as "a humanitarian issue". They've also announced that ambassadors in Tehran can now provide consular services, facilitating the crew's release and return home.
