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Tanker hit off India coast by drone from Iran, says US | Tanker hit off India coast by drone from Iran, says US |
(about 7 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 in the Indian Ocean was hit by a drone launched from Iran on Saturday, the US military says. | |
A fire on board the Chem Pluto was extinguished. There were no casualties. | |
Iran has not commented. Houthi rebels in Yemen - who are backed by Iran, and support Hamas in its war with Israel - have recently used drones and rockets to target vessels in the Red Sea. | |
But this event is the first of its kind so far away from there, according to maritime security firm Ambrey. | |
The same company also said the vessel was heading from Saudi Arabia to India, and was linked to Israel. The Houthis have claimed to be targeting Israel-linked vessels over the conflict in Gaza. | |
The US said the Chem Pluto was hit by a "a one-way attack drone fired from Iran". It is believed to be the first time the US has publicly accused Iran of targeting a ship directly. | |
It has previously accused Iran of being "deeply involved" in planning operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea - a charge Tehran has denied. | |
However, Iran's Revolutionary Guards have warned they could force the closure of waterways other than the Red Sea if "America and its allies continue committing crimes" in Gaza. | |
Who are the Houthi rebels attacking Red Sea ships? | |
What do Red Sea assaults mean for global trade? | |
The Pentagon statement said the Chem Pluto was "a Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Netherlands-operated chemical tanker". | |
It was struck "200 nautical miles (370km) from the coast of India" at 10:00 local time (06:00 GMT). | |
The hit caused structural damage to the tanker and water was taken onboard. | |
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). | |
Ambrey said the event 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. | |
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". | 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. | 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. | 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. |
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. |
Related Topics | Related Topics |
Israel-Gaza war | Israel-Gaza war |
Iran | Iran |
Houthis | Houthis |
India | India |
United States | United States |