Israeli-owned ship damaged in suspected Iran drone attack in Indian Ocean
An Israeli-owned cargo ship fell victim to a suspected drone attack carried out by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Indian Ocean. A U.S. defense official confirmed the occurrence on Friday, revealing that the ship sustained minor damage with no reported injuries.
The targeted vessel, a Malta-flagged and French-operated container ship, was managed by an Israeli-affiliated company, possibly serving as the motive behind the attack, according to maritime security company Ambrey. The company noted that the unmanned aerial vehicle exploded in close proximity to the ship.
Ambrey also pointed out that the ship’s tracking transmissions had ceased shortly after departing from the United Arab Emirates in the days leading up to the attack. The incident follows the seizure of an Israel-linked cargo ship by Yemen’s Iran-backed Huthi rebels in the southern Red Sea almost a week ago.
In a separate development on the same day, Ambrey reported that the Huthis warned a tanker southwest of Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Hodeida to change course, threatening an imminent attack if the instructions were not followed.
The Huthis, aligned with Iran-affiliated groups and proclaiming themselves part of the “axis of resistance,” have been engaged in a series of drone and missile strikes against Israel since October. This wave of attacks follows an unprecedented assault by Hamas militants on Israel. Israel, in response, has pledged to “crush” Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.
As tensions persist, the Huthi rebels declared their commitment to further maritime attacks until Israel ceases its Gaza campaign. The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing geopolitical implications in the region.
