On Saturday, a drone launched from Iran struck a chemical tanker in the Indian Ocean, as confirmed by the U.S. military. The fire on the Chem Pluto was successfully extinguished, and fortunately, no casualties were reported.
While Iran has not provided any comments on the incident, recent actions by Houthi rebels in Yemen, backed by Iran, indicate the use of drones and rockets to target vessels in the Red Sea. This occurrence marks the first of its kind at such a distance, according to maritime security firm Ambrey.
The Chem Pluto, reportedly en route from Saudi Arabia to India, has been linked to Israel by the same security company.
The Houthis, engaged in conflict with Israel over Gaza, have claimed responsibility for targeting vessels associated with Israel.
The United States has publicly asserted that the Chem Pluto was struck by “a one-way attack drone fired from Iran.” This marks the first time the U.S. has openly accused Iran of directly targeting a ship. In the past, the U.S. has accused Iran of significant involvement in planning operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea, a charge Tehran consistently denies.
Despite denials, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have issued a warning, suggesting the potential closure of waterways beyond the Red Sea if they perceive ongoing “crimes” committed by America and its allies in Gaza.
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”.
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.
Many large global shipping groups have suspended operations in the Red Sea due to the increased risk of attacks.