Nine out of Twelve Indians aboard UAE vessel MT Riah have been released by Iran who were detained earlier this month. Sources said, 21 Indians are, however, still in detention in Iran.
Of the 21, three are from MT Riah while 18 Indian nationals are on board British oil tanker Stena Impero which was seized last week by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Strait of Hormuz for alleged violation of international maritime rules.
Minister of State in External Affairs, V Muraleedharan in a tweet, last evening said, the Indian embassy in Tehran has got the consular access to 18 Indian nationals who were on board Stena Impero. He said, the Indian crew members are safe and doing fine. The Minister said, the government will continue to push for early release of detained Indian nationals.
Earlier, in another tweet, Mr Muraleedharan informed that a team of the Indian High Commission in London met the 24 Indian crew members and staff who were on board shipping vessel ‘Grace 1’. The Iranian oil tanker ‘Grace 1’ was seized by the British marines and Gibraltar police authorities off the Spanish coast earlier this month.
The Minister said, the crew’s morale is high and assured all assistance for their early release. He said, Indian High Commission in London will facilitate necessary travel document and related arrangements for them.