External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar on Monday said that he spoke with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, on Sunday regarding the release of 17 Indian crew members from the ship MSC Aries, which was seized by Iran.
They also discussed the importance of preventing further escalation in the region, he said.
Earlier in the day, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Minister Jaishankar to express concerns about the safety of Indian nationals, including three from Kerala, who were amongst the crew of the MSC Aries.
The ship, associated with Israel, was seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards near the Strait of Hormuz. As per reports, 17 Indian nationals were onboard.
Efforts are underway to communicate with Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels to ensure the safety, welfare, and prompt release of the Indian crew members.
The incident occurred amidst heightened tensions in the region, with Iran launching retaliatory attack on Israel, involving drones and missiles. This attack triggered air raid sirens in Israel as the military intercepted the Iranian projectiles.
