An Iranian cargo ship was attacked in the Mediterranean, the Iranian government shipping company announced on Friday. The company also held that it would take legal action to detect the criminals of what it called ‘naval piracy’. In Wednesday’s incident, the ship called Shahr-e-Kord was damaged by an explosive object which triggered a slight fire, however everyone on board was safe, Ali Ghiasian, the spokesperson said to the media.
“Such terrorist acts amount to naval piracy and are contrary to international law on commercial shipping security, and legal action will be taken to identify the perpetrators through relevant international institutions,” Ghiasian added.
The vessel was travelling to Europe when the fire emerged and it will continue on its route after maintenances, he additionally said. The Iranian-flagged container was last located off Syria’s shore on March 10 as it moved for the Syrian port of Latakia, Refinitiv ship chasing data indicated. Two maritime security foundations indicated that initial clues stated the Iranian vessel ship had been deliberately targeted by an anonymous source.
The event comes fifteen days after an Israeli-owned ship, the MV Helios Ray, was smashed by a blast in the Gulf of Oman. The reason was not instantaneously clear, while a US defense official announced that the explosion left pits in both sides of the pitcher’s exterior. Israel suspected Iran of being behind the blast, an allegation the Islamic Republic refuted.
On Friday, Israeli officials did not provide any comment when inquired about whether Israel was behind the Shahr-e-Kord instance informed by Iran. The boat, which is amongst Iranian ships that have been selected by the US under hard sanctions measures, was incarcerated in Libya in 2019 even though the ship was later set free.
