As the international scene is concerned about threats of retaliation in the Middle East after Saturday's Iranian attack on Israeli territory, the Iranian ambassador to Lisbon was summoned on Tuesday by the Portuguese Foreign Ministry.
” The Portuguese government expressed its deep concern over the escalation of the conflict in the region, calling for maximum restraint. “, He said.
But in addition to the minister's condemnation of recent events, Portugal also demanded the release of a Portuguese-flagged container ship and its crew. The latter was notably seized this weekend in the Gulf by Tehran's forces, prior to the attack.
” The meeting once again renewed the demand for the immediate release of the MSC Aries ship detained in the Strait of Hormuz. “, the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs specified.
Ship accused of being ” Related to Israel »
Indeed, the special naval forces of the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological army of the Islamic Republic, seized in the Strait of Hormuz a container ship that Tehran accuses of being “ Related to Israel ». The ship was directed towards Iranian territorial waters. “So that they may be” The necessary investigations were conducted. “Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said Monday. But no information was provided about the 25 crew members, who include Indians and a Russian.
The spokesman explained that Iran seized the ship because of “ It violated international maritime regulations. “And “Failed to respond adequately to questions from Iranian authorities. “. ” This ship is definitely owned by the Zionist entity. “,” Nasser Al-Kanani said, referring to Israel, the Islamic Republic’s arch-enemy. According to the official IRNA news agency, the MSC Aries is “ It is run by Zodiac, a company owned by Zionist capitalist Eyal Ofer. “
“Piracy operation”
This rise was denounced as ” An act of piracy » By the United States, which is called “ Iran must immediately release this British-owned, Portuguese-flagged ship and its Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Russian and Estonian crew. “
For her part, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa also called on Iran on Tuesday to ensure the safety of navigation in the region's waters, after the container ship was seized.
Especially since November, Yemeni Houthi rebels have been attacking merchant ships in the Red Sea. The attacks have had serious consequences for global maritime trade, particularly the disruption of boats passing through the Suez Canal. Many countries, especially the United States, accuse Iran of supporting these rebels.
(With AFP)
