Iran seized the Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries ship due to "maritime laws violations," the country's Foreign Ministry said.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, said that there was "no doubt the vessel was linked to Israel."
"Iran strives to create a safe shipping environment in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf. The vessel was diverted into Iran's territorial waters as a result of it violating maritime laws and not answering calls made by Iranian authorities," Kanaani said.
The state-run IRNA news agency reported the incident on Saturday after online footage showed commandos rappelling onto the ship from a helicopter.
Tasnim news agency reported, "The Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries, [is] a container ship associated with London-based Zodiac Maritime. Zodiac Maritime is part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer's Zodiac Group.'
The video shared online captures a crew member urging others to stay hidden and proceeding to the ship's bridge as more commandos descend onto the deck.
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