In a diplomatic breakthrough, five of the Indian sailors on board an Israeli-linked vessel seized by Tehran were released and have departed from Iran. The Indian Embassy, while sharing details of their release yesterday, thanked the Iranian authorities for their close coordination with the Embassy and Indian Consulate in Bandar Abbas.

The Israel-linked cargo ship was seized by Iran on April 13, with 17 Indian nationals onboard. The Ministry of External Affairs had also said that one of the 17 Indian crew members has safely returned to India and others are safe, adding that they will be released once their contractual obligations are accomplished. The Iranian Ambassador to India, Iraj Elahi, has also said that the Indian nationals, crew members of MSC Aries, are not detained and that they are free to go.