The Navy of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) seized the commercial vessel MSC Aries in the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian media reported.
The Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries container ship is associated with the London-based Zodiac Maritime, a subsidiary of the Zodiac Group shipping business owned by Israeli magnate Eyal Ofer.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz condemned the Iranian seizure of a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz as "a pirate operation".
"[Iran’s] criminal regime that supports Hamas’ crimes is now conducting a pirate operation in violation of international law," Katz said.
The Israeli top diplomat called on the European Union to declare Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps as a terrorist organization.
Earlier, the operator of the vessel seized by Iran said that there are 25 crew members on board the container ship.
