Brotherly Ties
ISLAMABAD: Iran announced on Monday its decision to release Pakistani nationals stranded aboard a ship seized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), following verification of their identities and the completion of necessary legal procedures. This gesture underscores the strong fraternal ties between Iran and Pakistan.
The Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moqadam, communicated that the verification process for the Pakistani crew members was underway, in collaboration with Tehran authorities.
Ambassador Moqadam emphasized, “Once we confirm the presence of Pakistani nationals aboard, we will expedite their release after the requisite legal formalities, in acknowledgment of the brotherly ties between our nations.”
This development follows urgent communications between Pakistan’s Foreign Office and Iranian officials in Islamabad, prompted by pleas from the family of Muhammad Adnan Aziz, the Chief Operating Officer of the Portugal-flagged MSC Aries, which was commandeered by the IRGC. The family had approached the Pakistani government seeking assistance for Aziz’s safe return.
The confirmation was received from family sources that two Pakistanis, including Aziz, were aboard the MSC Aries when it was detained. Aziz’s family, based in Karachi and Azad Kashmir, with some relatives in London, expressed deep concern over the incident, emphasizing that Aziz’s involvement was strictly professional, unrelated to the ship’s ownership or broader regional tensions.
The MSC Aries was intercepted near the Strait of Hormuz amidst escalating regional tensions following a deadly attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria. This strategic waterway, essential for global trade, became the focal point of the unfolding geopolitical drama.
The ship, operated by Zodiac Maritime—a London-based company owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Group—was en route from the UAE to India at the time of its seizure.
The White House National Security Council spokesperson, Adrienne Watson, identified the crew as diverse, including nationals from India, the Philippines, Pakistan, Russia, and Estonia, and condemned the ship’s detention.
Onboard footage broadcasted by state media depicted IRGC forces executing a precision operation to take control of the ship, highlighting the strategic capabilities of the elite military unit.
The MSC, an Italian-Swiss shipping conglomerate, later confirmed the presence of 25 crew members onboard, reassuring stakeholders of its concerted efforts with authorities to ensure the crew’s welfare and the ship’s prompt release.
The seizure of the MSC Aries, amid heightened scrutiny of maritime security in a region critical to international commerce, marks a significant escalation in geopolitical tensions, drawing widespread concern and international diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation peacefully.
I am a dynamic professional, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict Management and Resolution, and International Relations. My expertise is particularly focused on South Asian Conflicts and the intricacies of the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific Politics. With my skills as a Content Writer, I serve as a bridge between academia and the public, translating complex global issues into accessible narratives. My passion for fostering understanding and cooperation on the national and international stage drives me to make meaningful contributions to peace and global discourse.
