Iranian drone hit tanker in Indian Ocean: Pentagon
The U.S. Department of Defense reported that an Iranian drone attacked the chemical tanker CHEM PLUTO in the Indian Ocean, 200 nautical miles from the coast of India, on December 23. This marks the seventh Iranian attack on commercial shipping since 2021. The incident raises concerns about escalating regional tensions and poses new risks to shipping lanes, following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The Iranian government and its allied militant forces in Yemen have criticized Israel’s military operation in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinian citizens have been killed.
Fortunately, there were no casualties from the drone attack on the Liberian-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Netherlands-operated tanker. A brief fire on board was extinguished. The Pentagon’s statement underscores the growing threats to maritime security in the region. Despite the severity of the situation, the Iranian delegation at the United Nations has not provided an immediate response to requests for comment. The attack highlights the volatile geopolitical landscape and the potential impact on international trade routes.
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