Indian FM urges Iran to release crew members of MSC Aries

India urges Iran to release 17 Indian crew members of MSC Aries.

“Spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian this evening. Took up the release of 17 Indian crew members of MSC Aries. Discussed the current situation in the region. Stressed the importance of avoiding escalation, exercising restraint and returning to diplomacy. Agreed to remain in touch,” Caliber.Az reports citing Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s message on X.

Spoke to Iranian FM @Amirabdolahian this evening.

Took up the release of 17 Indian crew members of MSC Aries.

Discussed the current situation in the region. Stressed the importance of avoiding escalation, exercising restraint and returning to diplomacy.

Agreed to remain…

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) April 14, 2024

Iranian special forces captured the ship on April 13 off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, hours before Tehran launched an attack on Tel Aviv.

Iran launched hundreds of aerial drones and missiles at Israel in the unprecedented attack that has escalated tensions between the countries. Tel Aviv said 99 per cent of the weapons were intercepted.

India has called for an "immediate de-escalation" of hostilities between the two countries and asked them to "step back from violence" and "return to the path of diplomacy". Jaishankar also held phone calls with his counterparts in Iran and Israel.

Iran said that during the call with Amir-Abdollahian, Jaishankar expressed concerns over the situation of the 17 Indians on the ship and asked for assistance.