A chemical tanker within the Indian Ocean was hit by a drone launched from Iran on Saturday, the US navy says.

A hearth on board the Chem Pluto was extinguished. There had been no casualties.

Iran has not commented. Houthi rebels in Yemen – who’re backed by Iran, and help Hamas in its battle with Israel – have not too long ago used drones and rockets to focus on vessels within the Red Sea.

But this occasion is the primary of its form so far-off from there, in response to maritime safety agency Ambrey.

The identical firm additionally stated the vessel was heading from Saudi Arabia to India, and was linked to Israel. The Houthis have claimed to be concentrating on Israel-linked vessels over the battle in Gaza.

The US stated the Chem Pluto was hit by “a one-way attack drone fired from Iran”. It is believed to be the primary time the US has publicly accused Iran of concentrating on a ship instantly.

It has beforehand accused Iran of being “deeply involved” in planning operations towards business vessels within the Red Sea – a cost Tehran has denied.

However, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned they might power the closure of waterways apart from the Red Sea if “America and its allies continue committing crimes” in Gaza.

The Pentagon assertion stated the Chem Pluto was “a Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Netherlands-operated chemical tanker”.

It was struck “200 nautical miles (370km) from the coast of India” at 10:00 native time (06:00 GMT).

The hit prompted structural injury to the tanker and water was taken onboard.

The incident befell 200 nautical miles south-west of town of Veraval in India’s Gujarat state, in response to United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

Ambrey stated the occasion fell inside an space the agency thought-about a “heightened threat area” for Iranian drones.

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

In a separate growth, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that on Saturday “two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles were fired into international shipping lanes in the Southern Red Sea from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. No ships reported being impacted by the ballistic missiles”.

It additionally stated the USS Laboon warship patrolling the world “shot down four unmanned aerial drones originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen that were inbound” to the American vessel.

Later that day, a crude oil tanker reported being hit by a Houthi drone within the southern Red Sea, whereas one other tanker noticed a close to miss.

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