The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps of Iran on Saturday (April 13, 2024) allegedly seized control over an Israeli-linked MSC ARIES container ship in a helicopter operation near the Strait of Hormuz, media reports said.

Sources told Tasnim News Agency that the vessel is the Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries, a container ship associated with London-based Zodiac Maritime.

Zodiac Maritime is a part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Group.

Zodiac has so far refused to comment on the issue.

The MSC Aries had been last located off Dubai heading toward the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. The ship had turned off its tracking data, which has been common for Israeli-affiliated ships moving through the region, reports The Times of Israel.

Tension between Iran and Israel escalating

The US expects Iran will strike against multiple targets inside Israel in the coming days and is prepared to help intercept any weapons launched at its ally, sources told CNN.

US President Joe Biden on Friday (April 13, 2024) said Iran’s attacks were coming “sooner than later”.

“We are devoted to the defence of Israel. We will support Israel. We will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed,” Biden told reporters on Friday as quoted by The Guardian.

Israel Defense Forces warns Iran

In a video statement, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, meanwhile, warned Iran that it “will bear the consequences for choosing to escalate the situation any further.”

“Iran is the world’s biggest state sponsor of terror. Its network of terror doesn’t just threaten the people of Israel, Gaza, Lebanon and Syria; the regime in Iran fuels the war in Ukraine and beyond,” Hagari was quoted as saying by The Time of Israel.

“Israel is on high alert. We have increased our readiness to protect Israel from further Iranian aggression. We are also prepared to respond,” Hagari says.

He said the IDF is prepared to face all kinds of situations and take necessary steps.

Why did the tension rise suddenly?

An attack on the Iranian consulate building in Damascus on April 1 killed at least one senior IRGC commander.

Blaming Israel for the incident, Iran vowed to strike back, although Tel Aviv did not comment on the incident so far.