- The Indian government scored a major diplomatic breakthrough on Friday
- Iran frees 16 hostages from Israeli cargo ship
- S. Jaishankar discussed this issue with the Foreign Minister of Iran
The Indian government scored a major diplomatic breakthrough on Friday. Iran has released all 16 Indians held hostage from an Israeli cargo ship. India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar discussed the issue with Iran’s Foreign Minister.
According to reports, Iran has released all 16 Indians held hostage from an Israeli cargo ship. Not long ago, a crew of 25 was aboard the Israeli cargo ship MSC Aries. Including 17 Indians. They were captured by Iran and although one of the female crew was freed first. Now all the 16 Indian hostages have also been released.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar spoke to the Foreign Minister of Iran about this. Sources say that all the 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 them and after that they will all return home. In addition, Iran’s foreign minister said the country has released all crew members of a ship belonging to Israel, which was recently captured by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the Strait of Hormuz.
The development came a few weeks after the RGC seized a Portuguese-flagged vessel on April 13. MSC Aries had a crew of 25, 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 April 18.
The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier said that the return of the Indian crew depends on several factors, including their contractual obligations. Earlier, when asked about the fate of the 16 sailors, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that all are doing well and are in touch with Iranian authorities for their release.
