Iranian commandos storm container ship linked to Israel: Crack troops from Iran's Revolutionary Guard rope onto vessel from a helicopter and seize it - as fears mount Tehran could launch massive missile strike against Tel Aviv

Iranian commandos stormed container ship linked to Israel as it travelled through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important marine passages. 

Special forces from the naval branch of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) boarded the MSC Aries roughly 50 miles off the coast of the United Arab Emirates early on Saturday. 

Footage of the mission taken by a member of the crew shows at least three commandos rappelling down a rope from a helicopter onto the vessel, a container ship sailing under the flag of Portugal and linked to Israeli maritime magnate Eyal Ofer.

The 1,201ft long and 168ft wide ship left the UAE port of Khalifa and was due to arrive in the Indian city of Nhava Sheva before the attack, the latest escalation in tensions between that many fear may lead to Tehran launching a military offensive against Israel. 

Tracking data last placed the MSC Aries near the coast of Dubai just over a day ago. The ship appears to have turned off its tracking data around then.  

The UK's Maritime Trade Operations agency confirmed the boarding, though made no mention of Iran, instead saying that the vessel was 'reported to have been seized by regional authorities.'

It later said that 'authorities' were investigating the incident, but did not provide any further details. 

Iran's state news agency said that Iranian commandos were involved in the boarding, and said the vessel was being transported to Iranian waters, though Iranian officials are yet to comment on the seizure. 

This was also confirmed by the ship's parent company, which said that the ship has 'since been diverted from her itinerary towards Iran.'

The company added: 'We are working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure their wellbeing, and safe return of the vessel.'

The White House said the crew of the vessel comprised of Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Russian and Estonian nationals, and an official in the Indian government adding that 17 Indian nationals were onboard the Aries. 

White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said: 'We call on Iran to release the vessel and its international crew immediately.

'Seizing a civilian vessel without provocation is a blatant violation of international law, and an act of piracy by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.

'It must be condemned unequivocally, and we will work with our partners to hold Iran to account for its actions.'

The Indian official told the FT: 'We are in touch with the Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and in Delhi, to ensure [the] security, welfare and early release of Indian nationals.'

MSC leases the Aries from Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime, Zodiac said in a statement, adding that MSC is responsible for all the vessel's activities. Zodiac is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer. 

In response to Iran's attack against the container ship, Israel's foreign minister Israel Katz took to X to say: 'The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps have seized a Portuguese civilian cargo ship, belonging to an EU member, claiming Israeli ownership.

'The Ayatollah regime is a criminal regime that supports Hamas' crimes and is now conducting a pirate operation in violation of international law.

'I call on the European Union and the free world to immediately declare the Iranian Revolutionary Guards corps as a terrorist organization and to sanction Iran now.'

Britain's secretary of defence Grant Shapps, meanwhile, said: 'The seizure of the cargo ship MSC Aries by Iran is unacceptable and a blatant violation of international law. 

'We call for the unconditional release of the ship and its crew without delay. We are working with partners to prevent escalation in the Middle East. Iran must cease their destabilising behaviour immediately.'

On Tuesday the naval head of the Revolutionary Guards, Alireza Tangsiri, said it could close the Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran and the United Arab Emirates, if deemed necessary.

He said Iran viewed as a threat Israel's presence in the UAE, with which Israel established diplomatic relations in 2020 as part of the 'Abraham Accords' mediated by the United States.

Analyst Hasan Alhasan of the International Institute for Strategic Studies said if the seizure of the MSC Aries was in retaliation for Israel's strike on Iran's Damascus consulate, it showed a desire to save face without a wider escalation.

'Iran may be trying to play on fears that it could obstruct shipping through the strait, a passageway of greater significance to global oil and gas supplies than the Red Sea,' he said.

'If Iran were to limit itself to seizing commercial vessels linked to Israel then it would minimise the risk of an all-out conflict but damage its own credibility,' he added.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi group has disrupted global trade with attacks on shipping in the Red Sea for months, saying it is aiming at vessels linked to Israel in retaliation for Israel's campaign in Gaza.

The United States and Britain have previously carried out strikes against Houthi targets in response to the attacks on shipping.

The Joint Maritime Information Center, run by a Western-led naval coalition, said vessels intending to navigate the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy routes, should exercise caution and not loiter.

Iran has previously promised to take revenge on Israel after its military conducted a missile strike against its embassy in Syria's capital, Damascus, which left 12 people including two top generals. 

Israel has still not publicly commented on the attack, but its allies have warned Iran that support for Israel is 'ironclad.'

US president Joe Biden said at a press conference on Thursday: 'As I told Prime Minister Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad. Let me say it again: ironclad. We're going to do all we can to protect Israel security.'

Biden's top diplomat, Anthony Blinken, affirmed his words and told Israel's defence minister Yoav Gallant on a phone call that the US would stand behind Israel if Iran decides to attack.

Last week, Major General Rahim Safavi, who served as the chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said that none of Israel's embassies were safe following the missile strike. 

US officials told the New York Times that Iran will likely strike multiple targets in Israel in the next few days. 

Little is known about the potential attacks, including what form they may take, what kinds of targets will be involved and exactly when they will take place.