Tensions grow as Iran seizes ship

IRAN seized a container ship with links to Israel yesterday morning as tensions in the Middle East teetered on a knife-edge.

After Tehran threatened retaliation against Israel “within two days” of Friday for the killing of one of its top military leaders, General Mohammad Zahedi, the MSC Aries was boarded by Iranian special forces in the Strait of Hormuz.

Using a helicopter, the soldiers rappelled on to the deck of the Portuguese-flagged ship which is registered in London to the Zodiac company and partly owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer.

According to MSC there were 25 crew members on board at the time of the seizure, comprising Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Russian and Estonian nationals.

There has been heightened expectation of an Iranian attack on Israel since an air strike destroyed Iran’s consulate in Damascus at the

‘We should expect attack escalation’

start of April. Last night, Israel said Iran would bear the consequences for choosing to escalate the situation any further.

Also last night it was reported Dutch airline KLM will no longer fly over Iran due to the mounting regional tensions.

Both the US and UK have pledged to stand by Israel in the event of an attack by Tehran.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “We, like the Americans, fully support Israel’s right to defend itself against that.”

He said Britain had already “highlighted Iran as a significant risk to regional security” and taken steps to protect the UK from its threats.

Megan Sutcliffe, a regional expert with the Sibylline strategic risk group, said: “A strike against Israel is unlikely – but if it does happen, it will probably target a low-population area on the Golan Heights, rather than Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.

“Otherwise we should expect an escalation of attacks by Iran’s proxies. These include Hezbollah in Lebanon, which is heavily armed.”