Chemical Tanker Was Struck By Iranian Drone In Indian Ocean, Pentagon

In another attack on commercial shipping, an Iranian attack drone hit a chemical tanker in the Indian Ocean. This marks the seventh Iranian attack on commercial ships since 2021. The incident occurred on Saturday at around 10 a.m. local time, about 200 nautical miles off the Indian coast.

According to reports, the targeted vessel is the motor vessel CHEM PLUTO, a Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Netherlands-operated chemical tanker. The attack drone was fired from Iran and is a one-way attack drone designed to impact its target and not return to its origin. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties, and the fire on board the tanker has been put out.

The Defense Department confirmed the attack in a statement, adding that no US Navy vessels were present at the site of the incident. Naval Forces Central Command is communicating with the struck vessel to assess the damage and situation on board. Meanwhile, India’s coast guard has dispatched a patrol vessel and a maritime surveillance aircraft after establishing communication with the vessel.

Reports indicate the tanker had 20 Indian crew members and one Vietnamese crew member on board during the attack. India’s coast guard confirmed that there were no casualties among the crew members.

The recent attacks come amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran. Both countries have been engaged in diplomatic efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which former President Donald Trump withdrew from in 2018. However, the negotiations have been stalled, and tensions in the region continue to mount.

The ongoing attacks on commercial shipping in the region have raised concerns about maritime security. The incidents have affected the shipping industry, leading to increased insurance premiums and fears of supply chain disruptions. The international community has called for measures to enhance maritime security and prevent further attacks on commercial ships in the region.

Going forward, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what actions will be taken in response to the attacks. The international community is closely monitoring the situation while encouraging diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.