US Condemns Iran’s Seizure of Portuguese-Flagged Container Ship MSC Aries

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard seized the cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on April 13.

Iranian naval ships parading during the last day of a military exercise in the Gulf, near the strategic strait of Hormuz in southern Iran, in September 2020. Iranian Army office/AFP via Getty Images

The United States has strongly condemned Iran’s seizure of a Portuguese-flagged container ship, the MSC Aries, in the Strait of Hormuz and urged Iran to immediately release the vessel and its 25 crewmembers.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard seized the cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on April 13. The Iranian Foreign Ministry alleged that the vessel had violated maritime laws and was linked to Israel.