Iran Strikes, Sinks Indian Vessel Sinks Near Oman, Seizes Tanker

Why are we putting up with this? Why haven’t we utterly destroyed these savages?

Yet another provocation from the mullahs. Iran International: An Indian-flagged cargo ship sank off the coast of Oman after an attack sparked a blaze aboard the vessel following a suspected drone attack, Indian authorities announced on Thursday, as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was visiting New Delhi (Iran).

The Wall Street Journal reports that the crew was rescued: India’s Foreign Ministry said Omani authorities had rescued all the crew after the incident, without saying who was behind it or which day the attack occurred. Windward, a maritime-data company, said the vessel sank following a suspected drone attack. Two Omani officials familiar with the matter said the ship was carrying goats. The officials said the circumstances of the sinking were being investigated (Wall Street Journal).

Tanker seized off UAE dock, cargo ship sunk off Oman coast amid Hormuz tension

• The UK Maritime Trade Operations is investigating the seizure of the unidentified ship.
• Iran has not claimed responsibility for the seizure or attack.

Washington Times: A tanker docked off the coast of the United Arab Emirates was seized by “unauthorised personnel” and was spotted heading toward Iranian waters on Thursday while another vessel was attacked and sunk near Oman, further inflaming tension in the Strait of Hormuz.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations noted Thursday that the first ship, which has not been identified, was seized just 38 nautical miles north of the city of Fujairah in the UAE. The organization did not identify any suspects but confirmed it was investigating the incident.

Meanwhile, Indian authorities confirmed that one of their cargo ships sank off the coast of Oman after an attack sparked a fire aboard the vessel.

“The attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs wrote in a statement.

The ministry reported no injuries among the crew members and said they were rescued by Omani authorities.

While Iran has not claimed responsibility for the attack or the seizure, Iranian lawmakers have asserted they have the right under international and domestic law to intercept “violating” ships in the surrounding waters.

“The seizure of violating American oil tankers is an action grounded in domestic and international laws,” Asghar Jahangir, a spokesman for Iran’s judiciary, said Thursday. “The detention of these violating tankers is based on firm and final rulings issued by competent Iranian courts after legal procedures have been completed.”