TEHRAN - Iran has sent back to their home countries seven other crew members of an "Israeli-linked" container ship that Iran had seized in mid-April near the Strait of Hormuz, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Thursday.

The seven crewmen of the Portuguese-flagged container ship, MSC Aries, comprised five Indians, one Estonian and one Filipino, according to the report.

Iranian authorities said the vessel, operated by London-based Zodiac Maritime, a company owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer, had violated international maritime law and failed to respond to inquiries

The report said the rest of the crewmen were still on the vessel "in full health", and had been provided with necessary facilities and accesses.

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The MSC Aries was seized by the Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps on April 13 with 25 members on board. Iran later repatriated a female Indian crew member to her home country.

Iranian authorities said the vessel, operated by London-based Zodiac Maritime, a company owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer, had violated international maritime law and failed to respond to inquiries.

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Ali Akbar Marzban, caretaker for maritime affairs at Iran's PMO, previously said that the crew members came from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia and Estonia.