An Iranian crude oil supertanker anchored off Singapore. IMAGE: REUTERS
On December 10, the United Kingdom’s Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported an “incident” involving a vessel in the Red Sea.
In a short statement, UKMTO, which is part of the Royal Navy, said that the vessel and crew were reported to be safe, without providing further details.
“UKMTO are aware of reports of an incident in the Red Sea. Lat 131000N Long 0425600E, investigations are ongoing. Vessel and crew are safe,” the statement reads.
The reported incident came amid tensions between Israel and Iran over the November 16 drone attack on the Pacific Zircon oil tanker near Oman. Both Israel and the United States said that Iran was behind the attack on the Israeli-owned tanker. An accusation that was rejected by Tehran.
The incident also took place following a warning by Saudi-backed forces in Yemen of near attacks by the Iran-allied Houthis (Ansar Allah) on oil facilities, terminals and tankers.
Tel Aviv and Tehran have been engaged in a yearslong shadow war in the Middle East. Attacks on Israel and Iranian cargo vessels and tankers became recently a regular part of this war.
More information on the incident in the Red Sea will likely surface soon. The Middle East could experience a new wave of escalation if the incident was indeed the result of an attack by Israel, or Iran and its allies.
- Iran Briefly Seized Two US Navy ‘Saildrone Explorer’ Drones In Red Sea (Video)
- US Navy Establishes New Red Sea Task Force In Move Directed Against Houthis
