Iran Says MSC Aries Vessel Was Seized Due to ‘Maritime Laws Violation’ 

13 April 2024, Iran, Strait Of Hormuz: A helicopter raid targeting a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. (Tasnim News Agancy/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
13 April 2024, Iran, Strait Of Hormuz: A helicopter raid targeting a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. (Tasnim News Agancy/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
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Iran Says MSC Aries Vessel Was Seized Due to ‘Maritime Laws Violation’ 

13 April 2024, Iran, Strait Of Hormuz: A helicopter raid targeting a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. (Tasnim News Agancy/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
13 April 2024, Iran, Strait Of Hormuz: A helicopter raid targeting a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. (Tasnim News Agancy/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)

The Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries vessel was seized on April 13 by Iran due to "maritime laws violations", Iran's Foreign Minister Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said on Monday, adding 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," he added.

"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.



Russia Says Plan to Boost Role in Africa Includes 'Sensitive' Security Ties

The Russian flag waving in front of the Kremlin in Moscow, July 1, 2018. (AFP / Yuri Kadobnov)
The Russian flag waving in front of the Kremlin in Moscow, July 1, 2018. (AFP / Yuri Kadobnov)
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Russia Says Plan to Boost Role in Africa Includes 'Sensitive' Security Ties

The Russian flag waving in front of the Kremlin in Moscow, July 1, 2018. (AFP / Yuri Kadobnov)
The Russian flag waving in front of the Kremlin in Moscow, July 1, 2018. (AFP / Yuri Kadobnov)

Russia plans to step up cooperation with African countries, including in "sensitive areas" such as defense and security, the Kremlin said on Monday.

Russian mercenary group Wagner said last week it was leaving Mali after helping the military junta there in its fight with militants. But the Africa Corps, a Kremlin-controlled paramilitary force, said it would remain in the west African country, Reuters said.

Asked what this meant for Russia's role in Africa, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The Russian presence in Africa is growing. We really intend to comprehensively develop our interaction with African countries, focusing primarily on economic and investment interaction.

"This also corresponds to and extends to such sensitive areas as defense and security. In this regard, Russia will also continue interaction and cooperation with African states."

Russia's growing security role in parts of the continent, including in countries such as Mali, Central African Republic and Equatorial Guinea, is viewed with concern by the West, and has come at the expense of France and the United States.

Russia's Africa Corps was created with the Russian Defense Ministry's support after Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and commander Dmitry Utkin led a failed mutiny against the Russian army leadership in June 2023 and were killed two months later in a plane crash.

About 70-80% of the Africa Corps is made up of former Wagner members, according to several Telegram chats used by Russian mercenaries seen by Reuters.