A drone launched from Iran was liable for an assault on a chemical tanker within the Indian Ocean on Saturday, the US Department of Defence has stated.
A spokesperson for the Pentagon stated a motor vessel referred to as CHEM PLUTO was struck at round 6am UK time, 200 nautical miles from the coast of India, in a “one-way attack drone fried from Iran”.
The Pentagon added a fireplace was extinguished on board and no one was damage within the assault, which it says was Iran’s seventh on business delivery since 2021.
It was the primary such identified assault so far-off from the Red Sea because the Israel-Hamas struggle started.
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A spokesperson for the Iranian delegation on the United Nations didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Ambrey, a Hereford-based international maritime threat agency, earlier stated the vessel was “Israel-affiliated” – although didn’t supply element on the hyperlinks – and had final referred to as in Saudi Arabia earlier than heading in the direction of India.
“Merchant vessels are advised these types of attacks are typically targeted at Israel-affiliated shipping, but have in the past mistakenly hit previously Israel-affiliated vessels,” the agency added.
There has been an rising variety of threats to vessels off the coast of Yemen, with Yemeni insurgent group the Houthis saying their assaults are geared toward Israel-linked ships and are in assist of Palestinians underneath siege by Israel in Gaza.
The Indian Navy responded after the delivery firm requested help, an official stated.
“Indian Navy had dispatched an aircraft, which arrived overhead the MV (merchant vessel),” a press release by the navy stated.
“Safety of the crew and ship was ascertained. A warship has also been dispatched to provide any assistance as required.”
The Indian Coast Guard stated the vessel had 20 Indian nationals and one Vietnamese on board.
Another incident passed off within the Red Sea on Saturday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) company stated.
Approximately 50 nautical miles west of Hodeidah, Yemen, there have been a number of reviews of drones flying low above a vessel earlier than exploding about 1.5 nautical miles from the ship.
Vessels have been suggested to transit with warning, the company stated in a press release.
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Why are the Houthis attacking ships within the Red Sea?
Houthi militants threaten Red Sea vessels
Major international delivery corporations have been compelled to reroute their vessels within the wake of drone and missile assaults within the Red Sea by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants.
Many vessels are taking an extended and costlier route across the southern tip of Africa.
The British, US and French navies have responded by taking pictures down Houthi drones and missiles.
More than 20 international locations together with the UK have agreed to type a US-led coalition to assist safeguard vessels from Houthi assaults, with a minimum of one Royal Navy destroyer concerned.
Washington launched Operation Prosperity Guardian earlier this week, saying greater than a dozen international locations had agreed to take part in an effort involving joint patrols in Red Sea waters close to Yemen.
Iran has denied US accusations it was concerned in planning Houthi assaults within the Red Sea, the semi-official Mehr information company reported.
Source: information.sky.com”