Iran detains ship amid fears of imminent revenge attack on Israel

The navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has detained a container ship in the Gulf that is allegedly linked to Israel, news reports said on Saturday, as the threat of an Iranian retaliatory attack on the Jewish state was deemed imminent.

Images distributed by the Iranian state news agency IRNA and Tasnim news agency, which is considered a mouthpiece of the IRGC, showed commandos rappelling from a military helicopter onto the ship's deck.

The vessel was on its way to Iranian waters after being detained, according to IRNA. No further information was initially made available by Iranian sources.

Tensions in the region have risen sharply since a suspected Israeli airstrike on Iran's embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus on April 1. Two brigadier generals died, prompting the leadership in Tehran to threaten Israel with retaliation.

Amid fears of an imminent strike on Israel, the Washington said it was increasing its military presence in the Middle East.

The UKMTO maritime agency, which is part of Britain's Royal Navy, previously reported on the incident without naming Iran. It said the seizure occurred about 50 nautical miles (92.6 kilometres) north-east of the port city of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.

The Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV reported that the Portuguese-flagged container ship MSC Aries was seized by Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz.

Citing unnamed sources, the broadcaster said there were 20 Filipinos aboard the freighter, which was reportedly heading to India.

The Israeli army broadcaster also reported the seizure by Iran of a vessel sailing under the flag of Portugal. It presumably has Israeli owners, the broadcaster wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Washington criticized Tehran's move. "We strongly condemn the Iranian seizure of the Portuguese flagged, British-owned MSC Aires in international waters," said National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson.

"Seizing a civilian vessel without provocation is a blatant violation of international law, and an act of piracy by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization," she said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

According to the maritime tracking service Vessel Finder, the 366-metre-long container ship was on its way from the United Arab Emirates to India. Its position was last reported on Friday off Dubai.

Responding to the incident, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz condemned a "pirate operation in violation of international law."

Meanwhile in Israel, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant says the nation is prepared.

"We are closely monitoring a planned attack by Iran and its proxies against the State of Israel," Gallant said. "In recent days we have strengthened our defensive and offensive array and we are determined to take any measures required to defend the citizens of the State of Israel," he said, according to his office.

He told the public to follow instructions issued by the army and Homeland Security that were issued on Saturday evening, entering effect at 11 pm (2000 GMT) and initially in force for 48 hours.

School lessons and other educational activities are cancelled, as are holiday camps and organized excursions from Sunday onwards, according to Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari told journalists.

Sunday marks the start of a two-week school holiday for the Jewish festival of Passover.

The guidance also restricts gatherings according to the areas deemed most at threat, telling citizens to ensure they can swiftly reach a shelter.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin assured Gallant of the "unwavering US support" in a call due to "acute regional threats," according to US Defense Department spokesman Pat Ryder.

Austin said Israel can "count on full US support" against any attacks by Iran and its proxies.

"This morning, I spoke with my Israeli counterpart, National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, to discuss events in the Middle East. During the call, I reiterated the United States’ ironclad commitment to the security of Israel," US White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.

Several German politicians from across the political spectrum also spoke out in support of Israel in the event of an Iranian attack, including the Social Democrats' parliamentary group's foreign policy spokesman, Nils Schmid, and Johann Wadephul, deputy leader of the Christian Democrats parliamentary group.

Some leaders and ministers around the world made contingency plans given the high threat, with US President Joe Biden cancelling his weekend plans. He was returning to the White House to consult with his national security team on events in the Middle East, the White House said.

Israeli Foreign Minister Katz postponed a visit to Austria and Hungary planned for Sunday.

Passenger airlines meanwhile were avoiding Iran amid the heightened threat situation.

Dutch airline KLM and the Australian airline Qantas said they had adjusted their flight routes to avoid flying through dangerous airspace. KLM said it would no longer fly over Iran and most of Israel with immediate effect, as a "precautionary measure," Dutch news agency ANP reported.

However, in Israel, no special instructions had yet been issued for Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, an Israeli army spokesman on Israeli television on Saturday evening.