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Tanker hit off India coast by drone from Iran, says US | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The strike hit a chemical products tanker, like the one shown here in a file photo | The strike hit a chemical products tanker, like the one shown here in a file photo |
A chemical tanker was hit by a drone launched from Iran in the Indian Ocean on Saturday, the US military says. | |
The Pentagon said the Chem Pluto vessel was struck "200 nautical miles (370km) from the coast of India" at 10:00 local time (06:00 GMT). | |
A fire on board the ship was extinguished. There were no casualties. | |
Iran has not commented. There has recently been a series of drone and rocket attacks on ships in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. | |
In a separate development, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that on Saturday "two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles were fired into international shipping lanes in the Southern Red Sea from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. No ships reported being impacted by the ballistic missiles". | |
It also said the USS Laboon warship patrolling the area "shot down four unmanned aerial drones originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen that were inbound" to the American vessel. | |
Later that day, a crude oil tanker reported being hit by a Houthi drone in the southern Red Sea, while another tanker saw a near miss. | |
The rebels, who control, much of Yemen, claim to be targeting Israel-linked vessels over the continuing war in Gaza. | |
Many large global shipping groups have suspended operations in the Red Sea due to the increased risk of attacks. | Many large global shipping groups have suspended operations in the Red Sea due to the increased risk of attacks. |
In a statement, the Pentagon said that Chem Pluto was hit by "a one-way attack drone fired from Iran". | |
It said it was "a Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Netherlands-operated chemical tanker". | |
Earlier, maritime security firm Ambrey said the vessel was linked to Israel, and was heading from Saudi Arabia to India. | |
The incident took place 200 nautical miles south-west of the city of Veraval in India's Gujarat state, according to United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). | |
The hit caused structural damage to the tanker and water was taken onboard. | |
Ambrey said the event, which is the first of its kind so far away from the Red Sea, fell within an area the firm considered a "heightened threat area" for Iranian drones. | Ambrey said the event, which is the first of its kind so far away from the Red Sea, fell within an area the firm considered a "heightened threat area" for Iranian drones. |
The Indian navy sent an aircraft and warships to offer assistance. | The Indian navy sent an aircraft and warships to offer assistance. |
Earlier on Saturday, the US accused Iran of being "deeply involved" in planning operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea. | Earlier on Saturday, the US accused Iran of being "deeply involved" in planning operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea. |
National security spokesperson Adrienne Watson said it was "consistent with Iran's long-term material support and encouragement of the Houthis' destabilising actions in the region". | National security spokesperson Adrienne Watson said it was "consistent with Iran's long-term material support and encouragement of the Houthis' destabilising actions in the region". |
Who are the Houthi rebels attacking Red Sea ships? | Who are the Houthi rebels attacking Red Sea ships? |
Later, an Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander warned it would force the closure of waterways other than the Red Sea if "America and its allies continue committing crimes" in Gaza. | Later, an Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander warned it would force the closure of waterways other than the Red Sea if "America and its allies continue committing crimes" in Gaza. |
Brig Gen Mohammad Reza Naqdi said these could include the Mediterranean Sea and Strait of Gibraltar - but offered no details of how this would happen. | Brig Gen Mohammad Reza Naqdi said these could include the Mediterranean Sea and Strait of Gibraltar - but offered no details of how this would happen. |
Related Topics | Related Topics |
Israel-Gaza war | Israel-Gaza war |
Iran | Iran |
Houthis | Houthis |
India | India |
United States |