(Dubai) A container ship belonging to an Israeli billionaire was attacked, probably by an Iranian drone, in the Indian Ocean, a US defense official said on Saturday.
Friday’s attack on the ship CMA CGM Symi comes as global shipping finds itself increasingly targeted in the war between Israel and Hamas that threatens to become a broader regional conflict, even as a truce has halted fighting and Hamas trades hostages for prisoners Palestinians detained by Israel.
The defense official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said the Maltese-flagged ship was allegedly targeted by a Shahed-136 drone while in international waters. The drone exploded, causing damage to the ship, but did not injure any crew members.
The latter declined to give more details about the intelligence gathered by the US military to assess that Iran was behind the attack, although authorities suspect that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps carried out the assault.
The Al-Mayadeen satellite television news channel, allied with Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah, reported that an Israeli ship had been targeted in the Indian Ocean, citing unnamed sources.
Shipping carrier CMA CGM, which is based in Marseille, France, referred questions to Symi’s owner, Eastern Pacific Shipping, based in Singapore. This company is controlled by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer.
A statement issued on behalf of Eastern Pacific noted that the company was “aware of allegations that a container ship under the company’s management had been targeted in a possible security incident overnight on Friday.”
“The vessel in question is currently sailing as planned,” the statement said, adding that “all members of the crew are safe and sound.”
Iran’s spokespeople at the United Nations did not respond to a request for comment.