A chemical tanker off the coast of India was reportedly attacked by a drone fired from Iran, according to a statement from the Pentagon.
The incident involving the CHEM PLUTO vessel occurred at approximately 10 a.m. local time in the Indian Ocean, about 200 nautical miles from the Indian coastline. The attack utilized a one-way drone, designed to impact its target without returning to its origin. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and the fire on the tanker was extinguished.
The U.S. military is maintaining communication with the vessel as it continues its course toward a destination in India. The Chem Pluto, which operates under a Liberian flag, is Japanese-owned and Dutch-operated.
This marks the first time the Pentagon openly accuses Iran of directly targeting ships. The incident follows a series of attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels on a crucial Red Sea shipping lane and the U.S. accused Iran of involvement in those assaults. Iran, however, denies these allegations.
The Indian navy responded by dispatching an aircraft and a warship to provide necessary assistance.