Israel said Iran was responsible for a drone attack on a Liberian-flagged tanker off the coast of India Saturday, according to The Times of Israel.
The Israeli government believes that Iran was directly behind the attack on the tanker, the MV Chem Pluto, which the maritime security firm Ambrey described as “Israeli-affiliated,” The Times of Israel reported. Israeli officials reportedly believe the attack was launched from Iranian territory, according to the Jewish News Syndicate.
The Chem Pluto was hit by an unidentified missile about 200 nautical miles from the Indian city of Veraval Saturday, World Is One News Diplomatic and Defence Correspondent Sidhant Sibal reported. The Indian Coast Guard and Navy responded to assist the stricken vessel, according to reports from Asian News International.
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The vessel was traveling from Saudi Arabia to the southern Indian port of Managlore, according to Sibal. No fatalities were reported in the attack, The Times of Israel reported.
The Indian Navy and Coast Guard scrambled aircraft in response to the attack on the Chem Pluto, according to The Hindustan Times. The Chem Pluto, which suffered structural damage and a fire, requested an escort from the Indian Coast Guard and is expected to arrive in Mumbai Monday, Times Now News reported.
Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have launched multiple attacks on merchant vessels around the Bab el Mandab and have attempted other attacks, including one thwarted when the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney shot down 14 drones fired by the rebels from Yemen on Dec. 16. The attacks are reportedly in solidarity with Hamas, which carried out attacks on multiple locations in southern Israel Oct. 7, killing over 1,400 people.
The Pentagon announced plans for a multi-national task force to combat the attacks on merchant shipping on Dec. 13 as Reuters reported that several companies re-routed their vessels to avoid the strait.
Iranian-backed militias have carried out at least 76 attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, using drones, rockets and even ballistic missiles.
The Israeli government did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Harold Hutchison on December 23, 2023
