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Committed to release of Indian sailors from ship seized by Iran: S Jaishankar

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards detained Stena Impero with 18 Indians on board, last month

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External Affairs Minister Jaishankar
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India is working hard to free all the 18 Indian crew members on board a British-flagged tanker that has been detained by the Revolutionary Guards of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday.

"We are focussed on the early release and repatriation of all 18 Indian crew members of Stena Impero. Officers of our Embassy in Tehran have met them and they seem to be in good health with adequate supplies. We remain in constant contact with Iranian authorities to resolve this," he said on Twitter.

Jaishankar shared the update after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami brought to the notice of the Centre and MEA on the plight of Chennai-based Adithyaa Vasudevan, 27, along with other Indian sailors, who were on board when the UK-registered Stena Impero became the target of Iran, which is engaged in a showdown with the US.

Palaniswami said Third Officer Vasudevan was sailing from Fujairah, UAE, to Jubail, Saudi Arabia, and was detained on July 19, along with other sailors on the Strait of Hormuz by Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

Vasudevan's father has appealed to the Tamil Nadu Government for his son's early release and repatriation. "I request your good office to direct the authorities concerned and secure the immediate release and repatriation of Vasudevan and other sailors to India," the Chief Minister wrote.

In Crosshairs

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards detained Stena Impero with 18 Indians on board, last month
The action seems to be in retaliation for the UK detaining an Iranian tanker at Gibraltar
This comes amid simmering conflicts between Iran and the US 
The government has said that the Indian sailors are safe and appear to be healthy

India last month got consular access to Indians crew members of Stena Impero.

Following the seizure, the cargo vessel owner, Stena Bulk, said that there were 23 people on board, including Indians. The vessel owner has also said that the crew was in good health.

"Our insurers in the region have been in contact with the Head of Marine Affairs at the Port of Bandar Abbas, who has reported that the crew members of our vessel Stena Impero are in 'good health' and that the tanker is at the nearby Bandar Bahonar anchorage," the company statement added.

The United Kingdom has called Iran`s actions to seize its tanker as "dangerous" and "illegal."The United States, France and Germany have condemned Iran`s actions. It is believed that Iran has impounded Stena Impero in retaliation for Britain detaining an Iranian tanker at Gibraltar.

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