SHIPPING

Portugal summons Iran envoy over vessel seizure

DT · Apr 18, 2024, 9:50 AM

(FILES) Aerial view showing the Malta-flagged MSC Seaview passenger cruise ship (top L) and the Buquebus ferry Francisco (R), named after Pope Francis, docked at the port of Montevideo, on 4 March 2024. — Mariana SUAREZ / AFP

LISBON (AFP) — Portugal said on Tuesday that it had summoned Iran’s ambassador to condemn Tehran’s attack on Israel and to demand the release of a Portuguese-flagged ship seized in the Gulf over the weekend.

“The Portuguese government expressed its profound concern over the escalation of conflict in the region, calling for maximum restraint” and “reiterated in a vehement and categorical manner the recent attack against the state of Israel,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

“The meeting also allowed a renewed call to immediately release the MSC Aries ship,” a container vessel operated by the Italian-Swiss group MSC that was seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Saturday over alleged links to Israel.

On Monday, Iran said the ship had violated international maritime law and was undergoing “necessary investigations.”

“The ship was directed into the territorial waters of Iran because it violated international maritime laws,” foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani said.