Iranian seizure of the MSC Aries

On 13 April 2024, Iran seized MSC Aries, a Portuguese-registered and Madeira-flagged container ship owned by Gortal Shipping and leased to Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The ship, with a crew of 25 people, was boarded by Iranian commandos in the Strait of Hormuz, within international waters off the coast of the UAE, and taken to Iranian waters, effectively imprisoning the crew.

Following the incident, Israel called on the European Union to sanction the Iran Armed Forces. The US, UK and Portugal (where the ship is registered) called for the ship's immediate release.