India in touch with Iran to secure release of 17 Indian crew members onboard cargo ship 'MSC Aries’
New Delhi (PTI): India is in touch with Iran to secure the release of 17 Indians on board an Israeli-linked cargo ship that was seized by the Iranian military near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday amid fears that Tehran may retaliate for a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus on April 1.
Official sources said India has called on Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and in Delhi, to ensure the welfare and early release of the 17 Indian crew members of the cargo ship 'MSC Aries'. "We are aware that a cargo ship 'MSC Aries' has been taken control by Iran. We have learnt that there are 17 Indian nationals onboard," an Indian government source said. "We are in touch with the Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and in Delhi, to ensure security, welfare and early release of Indian nationals," it said. The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) said it is working closely with relevant authorities for the well-being of the 25 crew members and the return of the vessel.
The Iranian action came amid heightened fears that Tehran may launch an attack on Israel in retaliation to a strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria 12 days ago. Iran blamed Israel for the strike. Iranian news agency IRNA reported that the Portuguese-flagged vessel is operated by the Zodiac Maritime Shipping Company, which is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer. It said Special Naval Forces of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) seized MCS Aries near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, adding the forces carried out a heliborne operation on the ship's deck, directing it towards Iran's territorial waters.
Amid the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said "Iran will bear the consequences for choosing to escalate the situation any further." On Friday, US President Joe Biden cautioned Iran against an attack on Israel. "We are devoted to the defense of Israel. We will support Israel. We will defend -- help defend Israel. And Iran will not succeed," he told reporters.
In a brief update, the UK's Maritime Trade Operations agency mentioned the seizing of the ship by "regional authorities" off the coast of Fujairah in the UAE. It did not mention the involvement of Iranian forces. There have been mounting tensions in West Asia following the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1. Iranian media reported that seven Revolutionary Guards personnel, including two generals, were killed in the attack.
Following the seizure of the cargo ship by the Iranian military, Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz called on the international community to immediately declare the Iranian Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation. "The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps have seized a Portuguese civilian cargo ship, belonging to an EU member, claiming Israeli ownership," he said on 'X'. "I call on the European Union and the free world to immediately declare the Iranian Revolutionary Guards corps as a terrorist organization and to sanction Iran now," he added.
According to some reports, the ship was coming to India's Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) through the United Arab Emirates. However, there is no official confirmation of it. India had on Friday asked its citizens not to travel to Iran and Israel.
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Joe Root returns to England's ODI squad for India tour, Champions Trophy; Rehan Ahmed in T20Is
London, Dec 22: Veteran batter Joe Root’s return to 50-over format after more than a year headlined England’s squad announcement for the ODI tour to India and the ICC Champions Trophy.
Root’s previous assignment in the format was the 50-over World Cup held in India in 2023.
All-rounder and Test skipper Ben Stokes was not considered for selection as he has been recovering from a left hamstring injury sustained during the third Test against New Zealand earlier this month.
Seasoned batter Jos Buttler will lead the side, and the Lancashire man will also captain England in the T20I series against India, which precedes the ODIs.
England will play five T20Is and three ODIs during the white ball tour to India.
Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, who made his Test debut against India earlier this year, was included in the T20I squad.
In-form Harry Brook will get another chance to play international bilateral cricket in India after pulling out of the Test series earlier this year due to personal reasons.
England ODI squad: Jos Buttler (Captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.
England T20I squad: Jos Buttler (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.
India vs England Schedule:
T20I: 1st T20I: January 22, Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
2nd T20I: January 25, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
3rd T20I: January 28, Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot.
4th T20I: January 31, MCA Stadium, Pune.
5th T20I: February 2, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
ODIs:
1st ODI: February 6, VCA Stadium, Nagpur.
2nd ODI: February 9, Barabati Stadium, Cuttack.
3rd ODI: February 12, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
