US Embassy In Lebanon Warns Citizens About 'Security' Developments

According to IRNA, Iranian state news agency, IRGC's Navy Special Force took control of the Portuguese-flagged vessel after the heliborne Iranian forces landed on its deck.

The incident took place 50 nautical miles (92 km) northeast of the Fujairah, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced.

Citing “some news sources,” IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency said the vessel, called “MSC Aries,” belongs to London-based Zodiac Maritime shipping company which is “owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer.”

IRNA introduced Ofer as “the Zionist capitalist.” Last November, Yemeni Houthis aligned with and supported by the Islamic Republic, attacked vessels also partly owned by Ofer.

The Zodiac Maritime confirmed the incident in a statement, further adding that the vessel is operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

“MSC is responsible for all vessel activities including cargo operations and maintenance. Title to the vessel is held by Gortal Shipping Inc as financier and she has been leased to MSC on a long-term basis. Gortal Shipping Inc is affiliated with Zodiac Maritime,” read the statement.

According to Reuters, Ofer “partly” owns the Zodiac Maritime.

The recent move by the IRGC comes against the backdrop of ongoing escalation in the region as Iranian officials constantly vow retaliation for the deaths of top IRGC generals in an Israeli precision missile strike in Damascus on April 1.

Despite the harsh anti-Israeli rhetoric by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior figures of the Islamic Republic, the IRGC had not made any concrete moves to carry out such threats before today’s takeover of the ship.

Meanwhile, defense journalist Babak Taghvaee revealed on X that the vessel boarded by Iranian forces contacted and sought help from the European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASoH) stationed in the region, but “naval forces of the US and France decided to allow the IRGC capture it” and “no one helped” the cargo ship.

Jason Brodsky, Policy Director at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), also wrote on X that the boarding may be “part of a multi-layered response from Iran which wants to maintain attention and exhaust Israel.”

Following the incident, the Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari warned in a video message in English that “Iran will bear the consequences for choosing to escalate the situation any further.”

Calling the Iranian regime “the world’s biggest state sponsor of terror,” he stressed that Tehran’s network of terror not only threatens people in Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, but provokes conflicts in Ukraine and elsewhere.

According to Hagari, Israel and its allies are ready to take the necessary measures to protect the Israeli nation: “Israel is on high alert. We have increased our readiness to protect Israel from further Iranian aggression. We are also prepared to respond.”

CNN reported on Friday that Iran may attack Israel from inside its territory where it has been moving around such weapons as missiles and drones.

However, no major incidents took place from Friday into Saturday, giving credence to those who argue that Tehran might have adopted a mental game of attrition with Israel.

Also on Friday, US President Joe Biden confirmed that Iran’s reprisals would occur “sooner than later,” but the regime “will not succeed” as Washington is committed to Israel’s security and will help it defend itself against threats.

Follow developments on Iran International's Live coverage of ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel.

The advisory warns of the dangers to air, land, and sea travel in the region and specifically mentions the risk faced by those with dual citizenship in Germany and Iran. It cautions against the higher chance of being detained or questioned without warning.

“In the current tensions, especially between Israel and Iran, there is a risk of a sudden escalation,” stated the German Foreign Office in its renewed travel warning.

The news comes as German airline Lufthansa has decided to prolong its pause on flights to and from Tehran due to the unstable conditions. The airline made an announcement on Friday that it will be avoiding Iranian airspace for an indefinite period.

"Because of the current circumstances, Lufthansa is halting its flights to and from Tehran until Thursday, 18 April," a spokesperson for the company confirmed.

This cautionary measure comes after reports from US intelligence officials warned of a heightened risk of potential Iranian attacks on Israeli soil within the next 24 to 48 hours. US President Joe Biden had previously warned that Tehran could take action against Israel "sooner rather than later."

Germany, Britain, Canada, Russia, and Australia have all advised their citizens against traveling to Iran, Israel, the West Bank, and Lebanon due to rising tensions in the Middle East.

Follow developments on Iran International's Live coverage of ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel.

Rahim-Safavi who was speaking at a memorial service for IRGC officers killed in an Israeli air strike in Damascus on April 1, claimed that Israel has refrained from attacking Rafah area in Gaza, because it awaits an attack from Iran.

"The victory of the resistance front and the Palestinian nation under the leadership of Iran is certain, and the new Middle East will be formed with Iran and the resistance front as the center, contrary to the plans and wishes of America and Israel,"he added.

Israel has not claimed responsibility for the strike on Damascus on April 1 that killed seven IRGC officers including two top generals, but Iran’s Supreme Leader vowed to punish Israel for the attack.

In response, Israel’s Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Herzi Halevi, said, "We know how to act forcefully against Iran in both near and distant places. We are operating in cooperation with the USA and strategic partners in the region," Reuters reported.

Although US officials warned of an attack on Israel by Iran on Friday, Iran's response so far has been limited to psychological warfare tactics to keep Israeli's on edge.

Follow developments on Iran International's Live coverage of ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, commandos have been doing reconnaissance along the Lebanese coast in preparation for a possible maritime rescue operation.

Defense Secretary Grant Shapps told the Mail that the UK “stands ready” to help any Britons who find themselves stuck in the area. The Foreign Office has recommended that all UK citizens leave Lebanon as a precaution.

US President Joe Biden on Friday issued a warning about a significant risk of attack "sooner than later."

Meanwhile, there are reports suggesting that Iran has advised against US intervention in the region. The evacuation plan, known as Operation Meteoric, will be led by the UK's 'Green Berets' with assistance from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

A team of Marines from 30 Commando has been sent to the area for Operation Meteoric, drawing parallels to the historic Operation Dynamo from 1940, which evacuated Allied soldiers from Dunkirk.

Tensions escalated following an attack on Iran's consulate in Damascus on April 1, reportedly carried out by Israel. Iran has repeatedly threatened retaliation either directly from its territory or deploying its proxy forces in the region.

Recent reports indicate that Iran may use drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, posing a threat to civilian air travel.

In a worst-case scenario, civilians stranded on beaches could be rescued by the UK’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships in the eastern Mediterranean, supported by RAF Typhoon jets stationed in Cyprus.

Shapps assured that the UK is prepared to help its citizens in the midst of rising tensions, even though details of the plans are classified for safety.

Follow developments on Iran International's Live coverage of ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel.

According to the State Department, Blinken told Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry that “an escalation by Iran would not benefit anyone in the region.”

The two sides also addressed the conflict in Gaza and discussed ways to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the war-torn enclave and to achieve an immediate ceasefire conducive to the release of all Hamas’s hostages.

Earlier on Friday, Blinken also spoke with Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, stressing “the urgent need to avoid further escalation in the region by Iran,” the State Department said.

Ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel was another pivotal issue addressed in the phone call. In the case of finalization, an at least six-week truce is to be declared in the region which would see the release of Israelis held captive by the Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

Over the past days, there have been widespread and intensive international consultations to prevent the intensification of tensions in the Middle East. Since Israel’s deadly April 1 attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Iranian regime officials have time and again vowed reprisals.

On Wednesday, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq and UAE contacted their Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, at the request of the US, in an attempt to persuade Tehran to avoid a direct confrontation with Israel.

Germany's Lufthansa and its subsidiary Austrian Airlines have suspended their flights to Tehran after reports confirmed that Iran’s attack on Israel seems imminent.

Follow developments on Iran International's Live coverage of ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel.