Missile attack on an 'Israeli-owned' cargo ship ruled a 'Miscalculation' by Iran

© AFP 2021 / JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER

Earlier last weekend, reports surfaced that an "Israeli-owned" cargo ship had been attacked by a missile in the northern Indian Ocean. According to sources, there was no substantial damage to the vessel and no injuries.

The New York Times claimed on Saturday that an attack on the cargo ship CSAV Tyndall, which was owned until recently by an Israeli business, could have been the product of an Iranian "miscalculation" citing an anonymous Israeli national security official.

Tehran, according to the person, had "faulty intelligence regarding the ownership of the vessel." According to a statement from Zodiac Maritime, the ship is no longer owned by the company, which is led by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer.

According to the New York Times, CSAV Tyndall is currently owned by Polar 5 LTD, a London-based company, according to the UN International Maritime Organization's database.

The strike was first reported over the weekend, with speculation that Iran was to blame. Neither Tehran nor Tel Aviv has made an official statement on the topic, but according to Israel's N12 TV channel, which was cited by Al Jazeera, Israeli defense officials are looking into the possibility that the Islamic republic is involved.

The ship was assaulted on Saturday north of the Indian Ocean, allegedly by a missile, but no substantial damage or casualties to the crew were sustained. The ship was said to be its route from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates.

Suggestions that Tehran was engaged in the incident to come as Iran and Israel continue to attack each other's vessels around the Middle East region, despite their strained relations. In April, the Iranian general cargo ship Saviz was attacked in the Red Sea, followed by allegations of an attack on an Israeli ship off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.

Israel blamed Iran for the second incident, but the Islamic Republic has remained silent. Iran acknowledged the Saviz incident, with the New York Times stating that Israeli forces informed Washington about the attack on the vessel.

Publish : 2021-07-04 10:49:00

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