Five of the Indian sailors on board an Israeli-linked vessel seized by Tehran were released on Thursday, the Indian Embassy in Iran confirmed. It also said the sailors had departed the country during the evening.
Sharing details of their release, the Indian Embassy also thanked the Iranian authorities for their close coordination with the Embassy and Indian Consulate in Bandar Abbas.
In an X post, the Indian Embassy in Iran wrote, “5 of the Indian sailors on MSC Aries have been released and departed from Iran today evening. We appreciate the Iranian authorities for their close coordination with the Embassy and Indian Consulate in Bandar Abbas.”
The Israel-linked cargo ship was seized by Iran on April 13, with 17 Indian nationals onboard.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy seized the container ship near the Strait of Hormuz and MSC Aries was last seen on April 12, sailing towards the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Dubai.
On April 18, one of the 17 Indian sailors was released and returned home to Kerala.
Ann Tessa Joseph, a resident of Thrissur, was welcomed at the Cochin International Airport by government officials when she arrived from Iran.