In a strong condemnation of Iran's actions, the Biden administration is calling on the country to release an Israeli-linked cargo ship and its crew that was seized in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. The vessel, MSC Aires, had been sailing under the Portuguese flag and is owned by the British company Zodiac Maritime, which is associated with Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer's Zodiac Group.

According to Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the National Security Council, the crew members onboard the ship consist of individuals from India, the Philippines, Pakistan, Russia, and Estonia. Watson took to social media platform X to express the administration's concerns, stating, "We call on Iran to release the vessel & its international crew immediately."

The seizure took place when members of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) rappelled down from a helicopter onto the ship. Video footage of the incident showed commandos descending onto containers on the ship, while a crew member urged his colleagues to take cover.

Reacting to the incident, Watson posted a second message, categorizing the act as a "blatant violation of international law" and an act of piracy by the IRGC, which has been designated as a foreign terrorist group by the U.S. State Department. She emphasized that the attack must be unequivocally condemned, and the United States will work with its allies to hold Iran accountable for its actions.

President Biden, who was in his Delaware home at the time, is returning to the White House to consult with his national security team regarding the unfolding events in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Maritime Trader Operations has initiated an investigation into the incident and has advised ships in the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity.

It is worth noting that the seizure comes amid tensions between Israel and Iran, with reports of Israel bracing for a potential retaliatory attack after striking Iran's embassy in Syria. Western intelligence and U.S. officials have revealed that the Israeli strike resulted in the deaths of seven military advisers and three senior IRGC members.

As the situation unfolds, the Biden administration continues to demand the immediate release of the MSC Aires and its international crew, emphasizing the need to hold Iran accountable for its actions.