Iranian Revolutionary Guard Seizes Israeli-Linked Ship: Escalating Tensions in the Gulf

Watan-The Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced the seizure of a ship linked to Israel in the waters of the Gulf, specifically off the coast of Fujairah, UAE.

It began with the announcement by the British maritime security agencies, “UKMTO” and “Ambrey,” on Saturday, that a ship had been seized by regional authorities, 50 nautical miles off the coast of Fujairah, UAE.

“Ambrey” stated that they had seen still shots of at least three individuals descending from a helicopter onto what appeared to be a cargo ship. They added that this method had been used previously by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy.

In a semi-official Iranian account, Tasnim News Agency later reported that the Revolutionary Guard Navy had intercepted an Israeli ship in the Gulf waters.

Semiofficial Iranian Account

Meanwhile, IRNA reported that the Revolutionary Guard stopped the ship “MCS ARIES” through a military operation near the Strait of Hormuz.

They added that the ship was flying the flag of Portugal and operated by the company ZODIAC, owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.

The agency pointed out that the ship was currently being transferred to Iranian waters.

In a related context, the Associated Press, citing a military source, reported that Iran was behind the seizure of a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

This incident occurred amid escalating tensions in the region, as the United States sent military reinforcements in anticipation of a potential Iranian attack in response to a strike targeting the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1, resulting in the deaths of seven Revolutionary Guard members, including two high-ranking officers.

President Joe Biden stated on Friday that he expected Iran to strike its archenemy Israel, whom they hold responsible for the attack in Damascus, “sooner rather than later.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian had previously stated that Iran felt it had no choice but to respond to the deadly attack on its diplomatic mission after the failure of the UN Security Council to take action.