Tanker ship off Gujarat coast hit by drone 'fired from Iran', US says

NEW DELHI: A Japanese-owned chemical tanker was attacked off the Indian coast on Saturday, targeted by a drone “fired from Iran” the Pentagon said.

This incident marks an extension of security risks for commercial shipping beyond the Red Sea. The tanker fell victim to the attack on Saturday around 10 am local time (06:00 GMT), it said.

The merchant vessel, Chem Pluto, caused a fire on board the ship and disrupted its power supply. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties, and the fire was promptly extinguished.



The US military "remains in communication with the vessel as it continues toward a destination in India," it added.

The drone strike took place 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) off the Indian coast, with the statement clarifying the absence of US Navy vessels nearby.

It was the first time the Pentagon has openly accused Iran of directly targeting ships since the start of Israel's war on the militant group Hamas, which is backed by Iran, reported AFP.

The ship was on its way to New Mangalore from Saudi Arabia with a 22-member crew, 21 of whom are Indians.

Sources said that the Coast Guard Ship Vikram, which was on Exclusive Economic Zone patrol, was diverted to the site after the incident.

The attacks on shipping since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7 have prompted major firms to reroute their cargo vessels around the southern tip of Africa, despite the higher fuel costs of much longer voyages.

The Houthi rebels have launched more than 100 drone and missile attacks, targeting 10 merchant vessels involving more than 35 different countries, according to the Pentagon.

(With input from agencies)