Iranian Revolutionary Guards seized a Portuguese-flagged container ship, the MCS Aries, in the Gulf on Saturday. Iran alleges a connection between the vessel and Israel. This seizure comes amidst sharply rising tensions between the two nations.
Israel's military reacted swiftly, with spokesperson Daniel Hagari warning: "Iran will bear the consequences for choosing to escalate the situation any further."
The incident involved a dramatic heliborne operation by the Revolutionary Guards' Special Forces near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global trade. The Iranian state news agency, IRNA, states the seized ship has been directed to Iranian territorial waters. News of the seizure initially came from maritime security agencies who reported the ship had been taken by "regional authorities."
The seizure follows heightened tensions after a fatal April 1st attack on Iran's Damascus embassy killed seven Revolutionary Guards members, including two generals. Iran blames Israel for the strike.
US President Joe Biden stated on Friday that he expects further Iranian retaliation against Israel, possibly in the near future.
The current escalation occurs within the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Iran-backed groups throughout the Middle East, including Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq have become embroiled in the fighting. The region remains highly volatile.
