The Iranian Revolutionary Guard seized the container ship MSC Aries, as reported by Iran's Tasnim news agency on the morning of April 13, 2024. The operation took place in the Strait of Hormuz, an area of high strategic importance. According to reports, the Guard targeted the ship, descending from a helicopter while it was navigating near the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. Following the operation, the ship was confiscated.
Iranian sources allege that the MSC Aries, which flies the Portuguese flag, has ties to Israel through its association with Zodiac Maritime. Based in London, Zodiac Maritime is part of the Zodiac Group owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. Subsequently, an unnamed Middle Eastern defense official provided the Associated Press with a video purportedly showing the incident.
The last sighting of MSC Aries was reported off the coast of Dubai on the day before the seizure, traveling towards the Strait of Hormuz. The ship's captain had turned off the tracking system—a common practice among vessels in the region following the commencement of Houthi attacks. This seizure is believed to be part of Tehran's announced retaliation against Israel, following the latter's destruction of an Iranian consular building in Damascus which resulted in the deaths of twelve people, including Revolutionary Guard officers.
In a note released in the early afternoon of April 13, the Zodiac Maritime Shipping Company writes that “MSC is responsible for all activities of the ship, including loading operations and maintenance. Ownership of the vessel is held by Gortal Shipping Inc as financier and has been leased to MSC on a long-term basis. Gortal Shipping Inc is affiliated with Zodiac Maritime."
