An oil tanker operated by an Israeli-owned shipping firm was struck by an explosive drone off the coast of Oman on Tuesday night, the Associated Press said on Wednesday.
Eastern Pacific Shipping said in a statement that its Pacific Zircon was “struck by a projectile” around 150 miles off the coast of Oman.
“We are in communication with the vessel and there [are] no reports of injuries or pollution. All crew are safe and accounted for,” the company said. “There is some minor damage to the vessel’s hull but no spillage of cargo or water ingress.”
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, a British sea traffic monitoring organization, said it was aware of the incident and that an investigation is underway.
The Eastern Pacific Shipping company, based in Singapore, is owned by Israeli Idan Ofer.
While the source of the attack is still unclear, Iran has been responsible for similar incidents in recent years.
Last year, United States Central Command concluded in a public report that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was behind a similar drone attack on the Mercer Street in the same area in July 2021. Two members of the vessel’s crew were killed in the attack.
The Mercer Street’s British management company is owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer, Idan’s brother.
