India, April 13 -- India is in touch with Iranian authorities to ensure the security and early release of 17 Indian nationals who are among the 25-member crew of a cargo ship seized by Iranian troops, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday.

A special forces unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) carried out the operation to take control of the container ship MSC Aries in the Gulf of Hormuz, about 80 km off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, according to media reports.

"We are aware that the cargo ship MSC Aries has been taken control of by Iran. We have learnt that there are 17 Indian nationals on board," one of the people cited above said on condition of anonymity.

The Indian side is in touch with Iranian a...