Representational Image. (Reuters)
Middle East: State media in Iran reported that Iran Revolutionary Guards seized a ship "related to the Zionist regime Israel" in the Gulf. Of the 25 crew members aboard the container shi, 17 are Indians, sources informed. Following the siezure, Israel stated that Iran would suffer the consequences of escalating conflict in the Middle East, Agence France Presse reported.
"Iran will bear the consequences for choosing to escalate the situation any further," AFP quoted Israel military spokesperson Daniel Hagari's statement after Iran seized the ship.
IRNA, Iran's state media, reported that a container ship named 'MCS Aries' was seized by the Sepah (Guards) Navy Special Forces through a heliborne operation. The media added that the operation was carried out near the Strait of Hormuz, which is a water route vital in world trade. The ship was directed towards the territorial waters of Iran, the report said.
The report from Iran came after two maritime security agencies informed the seizure of a ship off the coast of the United Arab Emirates by regional authorities.
The Royal Navy's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said that a vessel was reported to be seized by regional authorities off the coast of Fujairah. However, it did not reveal further details.
The security firm Ambrey said that it saw still footage of at least three people fast-roping from a helicopter onto a container ship. Ambrey added that the Iranian Revolutionary Guards had used this method earlier also while seizing ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
On Friday, the US announced that it was sending military reinforcements to the region to back Israel. This was after Iran vowed retaliation for Israel killing its officers at its embassy in Damascus in a deadly strike. US President Joe Biden said on Friday that he expected an Iranian attack on Israel "sooner or later".