Chemical Tanker Struck by Iranian Drone in Indian Ocean, Pentagon Says
A chemical tanker in the Indian Ocean was struck by a drone launched directly from Iran early Saturday, the Pentagon said, signaling a widening risk to shipping after Yemeni rebels started attacking vessels in the Red Sea.
“The motor vessel Chem Pluto, a Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Netherlands-operated chemical tanker was struck at approximately 10 a.m. local time today in the Indian Ocean, 200 nautical miles from the coast of India, by a one-way attack drone fired from Iran,” a Pentagon spokesperson said in a statement.
The incident raises concerns about the safety and security of shipping in the region, as tensions continue to escalate between Iran and other countries. It also comes after Yemeni rebels recently targeted vessels in the Red Sea, sparking fears of further disruptions to maritime trade routes.
Authorities are now working to investigate the incident and determine the extent of the damage caused by the drone strike. It remains to be seen how this latest development will impact shipping operations in the Indian Ocean and whether additional security measures will be implemented to protect vessels from similar attacks in the future.
As the situation continues to unfold, the international community will be closely monitoring the response from Iran and other relevant parties to ensure the safety and security of maritime activities in the region. Copyright ©2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8