India had a big success, Iran released all 16 Indians held hostage from an Israeli ship

Iran has released all the 16 Indians held hostage from an Israeli cargo ship. Some time ago, a crew of 25 people was on board an Israeli cargo ship MSC Aries. These included 17 Indians. They were captured by Iran and although one female crew was released first. Now all the 16 Indians held hostage have also been released. Foreign Minister Jaishankar had talked to the Foreign Minister of Iran on this. Sources say that all 16 Indians will first reach the port by ship and then come to Tehran from there. After that, their travel documents will be issued. The Indian Embassy will help with that and then after that, they will all return home.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that the country has released all the crew members of the Israeli-linked ship, which was recently captured by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in the Strait of Hormuz.

The development came a few weeks after the IRGC seized a Portuguese-flagged ship on April 13. The ship MSC Aries had a crew of 25 people, out of which 17 were Indians. However, more than 16 crew members remained on board after the lone woman, Ann Tessa Joseph, was released by Iranian authorities on 18 April.

Release of the crew a humanitarian act: Iran

Amirabdullahian said the release of the crew was a humanitarian act. They could return to their country with the captain of the ship. But, control of the ship will remain with Iran under judicial custody.

The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier said that the return of the Indian crew depended on several factors, including their contractual obligations. Earlier, when asked about the fate of the 16 sailors, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said that all were in good health and were in touch with Iranian authorities for their release.