Unclaimed Drone Strike Damages Israel-Affiliated Merchant Ship in Indian Ocean

A drone strike has reportedly damaged a Liberia-flagged chemical/products tanker affiliated with Israel in the Indian Ocean, according to British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations and maritime security firm Ambrey. The unmanned aerial vehicle struck the vessel off India’s Verval, causing structural damage and some water intake on board. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

The targeted vessel had recently called at Saudi Arabia and was en route to India at the time of the attack. This incident follows a similar suspected drone attack last month on an Israeli-owned cargo ship in the Indian Ocean, reportedly carried out by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as per a statement from a US official.

The responsible party for the recent drone strike remains unknown, as there has been no immediate claim of responsibility. The increase in drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthis, particularly targeting commercial shipping linked to Israel, has become a growing concern. The Houthis have expressed support for Hamas, leading to an escalation in attacks and forcing shippers to alter routes, opting for longer passages around the southern tip of Africa, according to reports from Reuters.

The White House has asserted that Iran is “deeply involved” in planning operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The Pentagon reported that Houthis have launched over 100 drone and missile attacks, targeting 10 merchant vessels involving more than 35 different countries.

Adding to the tensions, an Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander, Mohammad Reza Naqdi, issued a threat regarding the Mediterranean Sea. He warned of its potential closure if the United States and its allies continue actions deemed as “crimes” in Gaza, highlighting the complex geopolitical landscape and the interconnected nature of maritime security threats in various regions.