Iran Claims it Hit US-Owned Commercial Vessel With Cruise Missile

The IRGC said the operation was carried out in direct retaliation for a previous attack on an Iranian vessel near the coast of Oman.

The claim emerged after a cargo ship sailing in the Arabian Gulf was hit by an unidentified projectile on Monday, causing a large explosion off the coast of Iraq and prompting an investigation into the incident.

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the vessel was struck on its starboard side while travelling about 40 nautical miles (74 km) southeast of Umm Qasr. The impact was followed by a significant explosion.

However, the UKMTO said it had not yet confirmed the identity of the vessel involved.

The agency reported that all crew members survived without injuries and that the ship was able to continue its voyage to its next port of call. It also said there was no indication of environmental damage and that authorities were investigating the incident.

The vessel was later identified as the Panama-flagged MSC SARISKA V, according to a Gulf News report citing Iraq’s Alsumaria News.

The report stated that the ship suffered an explosion within Iraqi territorial waters near buoy number five after completing cargo unloading operations at Umm Qasr Port.

In contrast to the IRGC’s claim of a missile strike, preliminary assessments suggested that the blast may have been caused by an internal mechanical malfunction rather than an external attack.

Citing a security source, Alsumaria News reported that investigators had found no evidence indicating the vessel had been deliberately targeted.

The report also confirmed that there were no casualties among the crew and that any damage appeared to be limited to the vessel itself.