Tehran releases 1 of 4 detained Filipino seafarers

This image grab taken from a UGC video posted on social media on April 13, 2024 shows Iran’s Revolutionary Guards rappelling down onto a container ship named, MSC Aries, near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Saturday seized a container ship “related to the Zionist regime (Israel) in the Gulf,” state media reported, as tensions soar in the region.
AFP

One of the four Filipino crew members of the container ship MSC Aries seized by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz finally returned home to the Philippines on Friday afternoon. The crew member arrived onboard a flight from the Middle East after almost a month in the custody of Iranian naval authorities, the Department of Migrant Workers said in a statement. The MSC Aries was boarded and held by Iranian Navy officials on April 13 while it was traversing the Strait of Hormuz. The ship had 25 seafarers, including four Filipino seafarers. Based on Western and Iranian news reports, the container ship MSC Aries was targeted by Iran for its Israeli links. MSC leases the ship from Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime that is controlled by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said his department would continue working with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the ship agent and the licensed manning agency to secure the release of the three Filipino crew members who remain in the custody of Iranian authorities. —JANE BAUTISTA