The Revolutionary Guards carried out a helicopter operation to seize civilian ships, state media reported.
Tehran, Iran – Iranian forces have seized a container ship near the Strait of Hormuz, amid rising tensions across the region following Israel's deadly attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria.
The ship was seized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), an elite military force that lost seven members, including two generals, in an attack on Syria, Iranian state media reported on Saturday.
“The ship is currently being guided towards our territorial waters,” state-run IRNA reported.
The ship, identified as Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries, reportedly left a port in the United Arab Emirates en route to India. It is linked to London-based Zodiac Maritime, part of the Zodiac Group run by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer and his family.
Footage from the ship's deck obtained by The Associated Press on Saturday showed soldiers rappelling from a helicopter.
The helicopter appears to be a Soviet-designed Mil Mi-17 and is operated by the Revolutionary Guards Navy.
Zodiac Maritime said in a statement that Italian-Swiss shipping group MSC is responsible for all shipping activities.
MSC confirmed that there were 25 crew members on board the ship, adding in a statement that it was “working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure their health and the ship's safe return.”
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the vessel was seized by “regional authorities” in the vital waterway for global trade, 50 nautical miles (92 kilometers) northeast of Fujairah in the UAE.
In late November, another Israeli-linked container ship was damaged in a drone attack in the Indian Ocean, which the United States blamed on Iran.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz said in a post on X that Iran's move was “an act of piracy in violation of international law.”
He called on the European Union and the “free world to immediately declare the Revolutionary Guards a terrorist organization and impose sanctions on Iran now.”
Regional tensions rise
The US military is moving more military assets to the Middle East in anticipation of Iran's reaction to Israel's attack on its Syrian consulate.
A US defense official told Al Jazeera that the measure is primarily aimed at better protecting US forces in the region, but also to strengthen regional deterrence.
Although US media confirmed the move, the Pentagon has not officially announced which assets will be transferred to the region.
The Wall Street Journal quoted unnamed U.S. officials on Friday as saying the changes include the repositioning of two destroyers, with one warship already in the area and another heading there. I was told that this includes conversion.
US President Joe Biden said he expected Iranian retaliation “sooner or later” and said the US would continue to defend Israel.
Asked by reporters if he had a message for Iran, he replied, “I want it to stop.”
Since the start of the Gaza war following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, the United States has sent thousands of bombs and ammunition to its ally Israel, and deployed warships and troops, despite growing international criticism. They were dispatched to the same area.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Friday that Iran's threat of retaliation against Israel remains “real” and viable.
Gen. Eric Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command in the region, arrived in Israel on Friday to discuss a possible attack by Iran and met with senior officials including Israeli Army Chief of Staff Helj Halevi.
“Iran provides funds, trains and weapons to terrorist proxies in the Middle East and beyond,” Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said, adding that the Islamic Republic is providing funds, trains and weapons to terrorist proxies in the Middle East and beyond. He added that he wasn't just threatening people. Inciting war in Ukraine and elsewhere. ”
He said Israel was on “high alert” and “ready to respond” to what he called “any Iranian aggression.”