ANN Tessa Joseph, a woman cadet who was among the 17 Indians onboard container vessel MSC Aries that was seized by Iranian military over the weekend, returned to Cochin on Thursday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said the Indian mission in Tehran is in touch with the remaining 16 Indian crew members of the container vessel. “With the concerted efforts of the Indian mission in Tehran and the Iranian Government, Indian deck cadet Ms Ann Tessa Joseph from Thrissur, Kerala, who was among the Indian crew members of container vessel MSC Aries, has landed safely at the Cochin International Airport today afternoon,” it said. At the airport, Joseph was received by the regional passport officer. “The Indian mission in Tehran remains seized of the matter and is in touch with the remaining 16 Indian crew members of the container vessel,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. It said the crew members are in good health and in contact with their family members in India.

 

“Indian Mission is also in touch with the Iranian authorities in ensuring the well being of the remaining crew members of MSC Aries,” it said. Remaining 16 Indian crew members free to return home, says Iranian Envoy to Delhi: The 16 remaining Indian crew members on board a cargo ship seized by Iran have not been detained and are allowed to leave the country easily, Iran's Ambassador to India, Iraj Elahi, said on Thursday.

 

“The 16 Indian crew members on board the cargo ship have not been detained and are free to leave the country easily,” Elahi told NDTV over the phone on Thursday. The Iranian Ambassador’s comment came a few hours after deck cadet Ann Tessa Joseph, one of the 17 Indian crew members on board vessel MSC Aries, landed safely at the Cochin International Airport. Commenting on the development, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who had spoken to his Iranian counterpart Amir Abdollahian on the matter earlier this week, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guarantee works not just within the country, but outside as well. “@Great work, @India_in_Iran. Glad that Ms. Ann Tessa Joseph has reached home. #ModiKiGuarantee always delivers, at home or abroad,” Jaishankar posted on X after Joseph's return.