IRAN has released the 25 crew from MSC Aries (IMO: 9857169), the Mediterranean Shipping Company-operated containership seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the Strait of Hormuz on April 13. The vessel, however, remains “under judicial detention”, according to Iran Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.

The announcement of crew’s release came during a telephone conversation between Amirabdollahian the Estonian minister of foreign affairs, Margos Tasakana, the details of which were posted on Iran’s ministry of foreign affairs website late on Thursday.

“The seized ship, which turned off its radar in Iran’s territorial waters and jeopardised the security of navigation, is under judicial detention,” Amirabdollahian confirmed, reiterating the purported justification for seizing the vessel days after Tehran vowed to retaliate for a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus.

Amirabdollahian said the release of the crew, consisting of 17 Indians, four Filipinos, two Pakistanis, one Russian and one Estonian national, was “a humanitarian act” and they could return to their countries along with the ship’s captain.

MSC Aries remains anchored next to Advantage Sweet (IMO: 9587192), Niovi (IMO: 9292498) and St Nikolas (IMO: 9524475), all of which have been seized by Iran and are being detained on “judicial grounds”.

“Compliance with maritime laws and regulations by all ships is necessary and unavoidable to maintain maritime safety,” Amirabdollahian warned, without detailing the nature of the alleged contravention.

MSC Aries remains anchored off Bandar Abbas. No details have been released regarding the release of the vessel which is leased by MSC from Gortal Shipping as financier, an entity affiliated to Eyal Ofer’s UK-based Zodiac Maritime.

MSC have been approached for comment.