Iran freed 7 crew members on Portuguese-flagged ship it seized in April – Portugal

Iran has freed seven of the 25 crew on a Portuguese-flagged ship that was seized in the Gulf on April 13, Portugal’s foreign ministry says.

Five Indians, a Filipino and an Estonian from the MSC Aries were released, the ministry says in a statement. Iran claimed the container ship had Israeli links when it was seized.

Following the release of the seven crew members, and the earlier release of one other, 17 crew members still remain aboard, the statement adds.

It adds that the Iranian government is required to immediately release the remaining crew members as well as the ship itself, which Iran said last week it was still holding in its possession.

“Portugal will continue to make every effort to ensure that these international obligations are fully complied with,” Portugal’s foreign ministry adds.