IRGC Seizes Commercial Ship; Israel Calls for Sanctions Against Iran from EU and Free World

The state news agency IRNA reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized a cargo ship "linked to Israel" in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, April 15. In this context, the Israeli Foreign Minister called on the "European Union and the free world" to "immediately designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization and sanction Iran now." A video observed by the Associated Press shows commandos attacking a ship near the Strait of Hormuz by helicopter. This video depicts an attack previously reported by the British Army's Maritime Trade Operations, which mentioned the "seizure of this ship by regional authorities" in the Gulf of Oman near the port city of Fujairah in the UAE without providing details. A defense official, who requested anonymity and spoke on intelligence matters, shared this video with the Associated Press. The attack and seizure of the cargo ship "MSC Aris" in the Strait of Hormuz occurred just days after the commander of the IRGC Navy threatened that they could close the Strait of Hormuz if necessary. The "MSC Aris," flagged in Portugal and chartered by the international shipping services company Zodiac, stated that it manages this ship. According to Reuters, Zodiac is part of the "Ofer Global" company, which is headed by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer. The seizure of a commercial ship by the IRGC comes as the Islamic Republic has threatened to retaliate for an airstrike attributed to Israel on April 2 against its consulate in Damascus, Syria, which resulted in the deaths of several senior IRGC members. U.S. President Joe Biden has warned Tehran not to do so. Meanwhile, the Israeli Foreign Minister wrote on social media platform X on Saturday: "The IRGC of Iran has seized a civilian Portuguese cargo ship belonging to a member of the European Union, claiming it is Israeli-owned. The regime of Ayatollah Khamenei is a criminal regime that supports Hamas's crimes and is now engaging in piracy operations in violation of international law." He added: "I urge the European Union and the free world to immediately designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization and sanction Iran now." Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israeli army, also responded to reports regarding the seizure of the "Aris" ship, stating: "Iran will face consequences if it chooses to escalate tensions further." He noted that the Islamic Republic considers Israel's presence in the UAE a threat, with which Israel established diplomatic relations in 2020 through the mediation of the United States under the Abraham Accords. The Gulf of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz, is the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which one-fifth of the world's total oil trade passes. Fujairah, on the eastern coast of the UAE, is the main port in the region where ships can carry new oil shipments, pick up resources, or transfer crews. Since 2019, the waters off Fujairah have witnessed a series of explosions and hijackings. The U.S. Navy has held the Iranian government responsible for mine-laying incidents that have damaged oil tankers. The decision to directly attack Israel has been made in Tehran; part of the final page of the plan. The seizure of a ship in the Strait of Hormuz; a Middle Eastern official says it was carried out by the Iranian government. Following tensions in the Middle East, the Netherlands temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran. The Israeli army says it targeted a "military complex" of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Biden's warning to the Islamic Republic: Don't do it, you will not succeed. As tensions rise in the region; after Austria and Germany, Air France will also not fly over Iranian airspace.