Watch: Iranian troops hijack Israeli-linked ship in helicopter attack

An image from a video supplied by a Middle East defence official shows commandos descending from a helicopter on to the ship – AP

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have hijacked a vessel linked to Israel in the Hormuz Strait as they said it was being transferred to Iranian territory with its 25 crew.

Video shared online showed men descending from a helicopter believed to belong to Tehran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and boarding a ship that appears to be the MSC Aries.

The Portuguese-flagged container ship is associated with London-based Zodiac Maritime, which is part of the Zodiac Group, owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer.

Iranian state media said the IRGC had seized a foreign vessel “affiliated with the Zionist regime in the Persian Gulf”.

Shipping company MSC confirmed the hijacking of MSC Aries, saying that it was “boarded by helicopter” and was now being diverted to Iran along with its 25 crew members.

In response, Israel Katz, the foreign minister of Israel, called on the European Union and the “free world” to immediately declare the IRGC as a terrorist organisation and to “sanction Iran now.”

‘A pirate operation in violation of law’

Mr Katz said the Tehran government was a “criminal regime that supports Hamas’ crimes and is now conducting a pirate operation in violation of international law”.

The Israeli Defense Forces also issued a statement following the seizure, warning Iran would “bear the consequences for choosing to escalate the situation any further”.

Daniel Hagari, the IDF spokesman, added: “Israel is on high alert. We have increased our readiness to protect Israel from further Iranian aggression. We are also prepared to respond.

“The Israel Defense Forces is prepared for all scenarios and will take the necessary steps, together with our allies, to protect the people of Israel.”

Mr Hagari did not specifically mention the ship hijacking.

Earlier this week, Alireza Tangsiri, the commander of the IRGC’s navy threatened to close the Hormuz Strait if necessary, calling Israel’s presence in the United Arab Emirates a threat.

“We can close the Hormuz Strait but are not doing so. However, if the enemy comes to disrupt us, we will review our policy,” Mr Tangsiri said.

Saturday’s hijacking came as Israel braced for an Iranian attack following the killing of a top Iranian commander in Damascus in what was believed to be an Israeli operation last week.

Joe Biden also issued a warning to Tehran, but the US president admitted that an attack would come “sooner (rather) than later”.

Lord Cameron, the UK Foreign Secretary, said he spoke to Benny Gantz, an Israeli war cabinet member, on Saturday, discussing “shared concerns about Iranian threats to attack Israel”.

The Foreign Secretary added: “Further escalation in the region is in no one’s interest and risks further loss of civilian life. The UK will continue to work with our partners in support of regional security.”

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