Portugal ‘reiterates’ demands for release of Portuguese-flagged ship and crew
Iran’s ambassador to Portugal, Seyed Majid Tafreshi, was ‘summoned’ to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today to hear in person Portugal’s condemnation of the attack on Israel on Saturday night, and be requested further to ‘release’ the Portuguese-flagged vessel hijacked by Iranian military on Saturday morning near the Strait of Hormuz, along with its 25-strong crew.
This is the gist of a report by Lusa which does not refer to the ambassador having told RTP already that the crew members of MSC Aries have all been released, without interrogation or even monitoring.
According to a note issued after today’s meeting, foreign affairs minister Paulo Rangel expressed “deep concern at the escalation of the conflict in the region, calling for maximum restraint”.
The government is now awaiting “the results of this formal demarche and will evaluate further steps accordingly”, says Lusa.
The issue of the Middle East conflict, and how it might affect Europe/ Portugal, will be the subject of a Council of National Defence called by President Marcelo for 6pm this evening. ND
