Iran Seizes Israel-Linked Ship Near Strait of Hormuz

Tehran, Iranian Authorities on Saturday announced that the Special Naval Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has seized Israel-linked MCS Aries ship near the Strait of Hormuz. Members of the force carried out a heliborne operation on the ships deck, directing it towards Irans territorial waters. The Portuguese flagged vessel is operated by the Zodiac Maritime Shipping Company, which is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer, according to Iran news agency (IRNA) The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel over the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1. The United States announced Friday, that it was sending reinforcements to the Middle East, with growing fears that Iran would soon launch an attack on Israel. Source: Qatar News Agency