Pentagon accuses Iran of drone attack on 'Israel-affiliated' chemical tanker off Indian Coast

Pentagon, speaking on the incident of reported drone attack on Japanese-owned "Israel-affiliated" chemical tanker MV Chem Pluto, off the coast of India on Saturday (Dec 23) told WION that it was "fired from Iran."

In a statement to WION, Pentagon said that the attack occurred at approximately 10 am local time in the Indian Ocean, 200 nautical miles from the coast of India. It said that the "motor vessel CHEM PLUTO, a Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Netherlands-operated chemical tanker" was hit by "a one-way attack drone fired from Iran."

"No U.S. Navy vessels were in the vicinity. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command remains in communication with the vessel as it continues toward a destination in India," the statement said adding, "This is the seventh Iranian attack on commercial shippingsince2021.”

Add WION as a Preferred Source

A maritime security firm, Ambrey, reportedly said that the ship was "Israel-affiliated" and was en route from Saudi Arabia to India. The Dutch company operating the vessel reportedly has connections to Israeli shipping tycoon Idan Ofer, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Tensions escalating beyond Red Sea?

This development comes amidst heightened tensions in the Red Sea, particularly with ongoing drone and missile strikes by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels on a crucial shipping lane.

In the incident which transpired on Saturday (Dec 23), there were no casualties reported. However, there was a brief fire onboard the tanker which was successfully extinguished.

Also Read |Israeli strikes on Gaza killed 200 in 24 hours, says Hamas

The incident involving the MV Chem Pluto is crucial as it saw the Pentagon openly accusing Tehran of its misdoings, by directly targeting ships, for the first time.

Also Read |United States condemns vandalism of Swaminarayan Temple in California

Indian Navy responds

The Indian navy responded to a request for assistance, dispatching an aircraft and a warship to ensure the safety of the involved ship and its crew.

Indian Defence officials reportedly said, “As per inputs received, the fire has been extinguished but it has affected its functioning. The ICGS Vikram was deployed on the patrol of the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone when it was directed towards the merchant ship in distress. All crew are safe which includes around 20 Indians. The ICGS Vikram has alerted all ships in the area to provide assistance to it."

Watch |India: EAM S Jaishankar says we must respond to cross-border terrorism

Later, in an update, Indian Navy officialssaid that the Indian Navy warship INS Mormugao had reached the MV Chem Pluto and ascertained details of the attack on it.

The officials added that the Indian Navy is "now investigating whether the drone used to attack the vessel was launched from long range or from a nearby vessel. The vessels operating in the area where the attack took place are being checked."

Notably, this incident follows a similar suspected drone attack on an Israeli-owned cargo ship in the Indian Ocean last month. The Red Sea attacks during the Israel-Hamas war have led major shipping firms to reroute vessels around the southern tip of Africa due to heightened security concerns.

Amid the evolving situation, an official from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard warned of the potential forced "closure of other waterways" as well in case Israel fails to stop the ongoing war with the Hamas militant group.

(With inputs from agencies)