A Japanese chemical tanker collided off the coast of India with a drone “launched from Iran”

This is the first time that the Pentagon has publicly accused Iran of carrying out attacks on ships since the start of the Israeli attack on Hamas, an ally of Iran.

The attack occurred 200 kilometers from the Indian coastal city of Veraval, and follows a series of similar missile and drone operations against commercial ships in the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthi movement, also backed by Iran. The Houthis say they support the Palestinians who are besieged by Israel in Gaza. The risks to commercial shipping now extend far beyond the Red Sea.

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The tanker MV Chem Pluto, which transports chemical products, was on its way from Saudi Arabia to India. The Pentagon added that the US military “remains in contact with the ship as it heads toward a destination in India.” A fire broke out on board the ship, and no injuries were reported.

The Pentagon statement said that the ship flies the Liberian flag and is operated by a Dutch entity, although the ship is owned by a Japanese company. American newspaper Wall Street Journal It was reported that the Dutch company is linked to the Israeli shipping magnate Idan Ofer.