A cargo ship was struck by a drone off the coast of the western Indian state of Gujarat on Saturday.

The Liberia-flagged chemical merchandise tanker was linked to Israel, in response to maritime safety agency Ambrey, and was heading from Saudi Arabia to India.

The assault sparked a hearth onboard the ship which was put out, however not one of the roughly 20 crew members have been harmed.

It comes after a collection of drone and rocket assaults on ships within the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

The group, which controls a lot of Yemen, has carried out greater than 100 drone and missile assaults on 10 vessels, in response to US officers. It claims to be focusing on Israel over the conflict in Gaza.

Many giant world transport teams have suspended operations within the Red Sea as a result of elevated threat of assaults.

But it’s not but clear who was behind the strike close to India on Saturday.

The incident came about 200 nautical miles (370km) south-west of town of Veraval, in accordance the British army’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

It brought about structural injury to the tanker – recognized in Indian media because the crude oil-carrying MV Chem Pluto – and water was taken onboard.

Ambrey stated the occasion, which is the primary of its variety so far-off from the Red Sea, fell inside an space the agency thought of a “heightened threat area” for Iranian drones.

The Indian navy despatched an plane and warships to supply help.

Earlier on Saturday, the US accused Iran of being “deeply involved” in planning operations towards business vessels within the Red Sea.

National safety spokesperson Adrienne Watson stated it was “consistent with Iran’s long-term material support and encouragement of the Houthis’ destabilising actions in the region”.

Later, an Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander warned it might drive the closure of waterways apart from the Red Sea if “America and its allies continue committing crimes” in Gaza.

Brig Gen Mohammad Reza Naqdi stated these might embrace the Mediterranean Sea and Strait of Gibraltar – however supplied no particulars of how this may occur.