Iranian forces took over the Portuguese ship "MCS ARIES" in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, according to Israeli media. The ship is currently sailing through the Persian Gulf, according to ship tracking site, Marine Traffic.There were 20 Filipinos on board the ship.The Saudi Al-Hadath confirmed Iran's seizure.⭕ مصادر #الحدث:🔴 قوات إيرانية تستولي على السفينة البرتغالية "MCS ARIES" في مضيق هرمز🔴 السفينة التي استولت عليها قوات إيرانية "تجارية" وتحمل حاويات وكانت متوجهة إلى #الهند🔴 20 فلبينيا كانوا على متن السفينة البرتغالية التي استولت عليها قوات إيرانية بمضيق هرمز#إيران pic.twitter.com/5zyfdjzYDv— ا لـحـدث (@AlHadath) April 13, 2024Al Hadath posted on X, "The ship that was seized by Iranian forces was “commercial” and carrying containers and was heading to India.

The Netherlands will close its embassy in Tehran on Sunday as a precaution, the Dutch Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday, citing the rising tensions between Iran and Israel.The Ministry added that it would decide on Sunday whether the embassy would reopen on Monday.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi on Friday as the region braces for a possible Iranian attack on Israel, a statement said. Blinken thanked Safadi for Jordan’s leadership in facilitating the humanitarian aid delivered through joint US-Jordanian airdrops. The leaders also discussed the ceasefire negotiations.

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported early on Saturday morning that five Palestinian civilians were injured as a result of an attack by settlers in the village of Abu Falah, near Ramallah.The riots allegedly broke out following the search for 14-year-old Binyamin Ahimeir, who is increasingly feared to have been kidnapped.The Palestinian News Agency (Wafa) said that the settlers attacked the village from the eastern side, and took vehicles bearing Palestinian registration plates.This is a developing story.