Iran says crew of Israel-linked ship to be released: Report

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told his Portuguese counterpart Paulo Rangel that crew members from a cargo ship seized in mid-April have received consular access and will be released, Iran media reported.

He added that their ambassadors in Tehran have been informed, but did not mention when the release will take place.

On April 13, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized near the strait of Hormuz the Portugal-flagged MSC Aries vessel and its 25-member crew. The ship was associated with the London-based Zodiac Maritime, a part of the Zodiac Group party run by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer and his family.

The attack took place after a suspected Israeli air strike hit the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus, killing a top IRGC’s commander.