Israeli cargo ship possibly attacked en route to UAE: officials

An Israeli cargo ship was attacked with an unknown weapon in the Indian Ocean on its way to the United Arab Emirates, according to Israeli officials and media reports.

An Israeli-owned ship hit by an explosion in the strategic Gulf of Oman waterway is seen after arrival at a port in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 28, 2021.
Reuters

An Israeli-owned ship hit by an explosion in the strategic Gulf of Oman waterway is seen after arrival at a port in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 28, 2021.

Israeli defence officials were checking whether Iranian forces were behind a possible attack on a cargo ship, under partial Israeli ownership, on its way from Jeddah to the United Arab Emirates, Israel's N12 Television News has reported.

The crew were not hurt and the ship, possibly hit by a missile on Saturday, was not badly damaged and continued on its journey after the incident, N12 said, citing unnamed sources within Israel's defence establishment.

Lebanese pro-Iranian TV channel Al Mayadeen reported earlier that the ship was attacked in the Indian Ocean.

Al Mayadeen said on Saturday in a post on Telegram that an Israeli cargo ship was attacked with an unknown weapon in the Indian Ocean on its way to the United Arab Emirates.

READ MORE: Ship owned by Israeli firm reportedly attacked off UAE coast

CSAV Tyndall sails under a Liberian flag

N12 said the vessel, the Tyndall, was owned by Zodiac Maritime Ltd. Zodiac Maritime's website says the CSAV Tyndall is a container ship that sails under a Liberian flag.

A source familiar with Zodiac Maritime's fleet said the company had sold the CSAV Tyndall several months ago and that no such incident had taken place involving any of its vessels, they said.

Ship-tracking data from Refinitiv Eikon showed a vessel called the CSAV Tyndall that was last docked in Jeddah was off the coast of Dubai.

A UAE government spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

Israeli officials had no immediate comment. 

READ MORE: Israeli-owned ship hit by explosion in Gulf of Oman

READ MORE: Netanyahu accuses Iran of attacking cargo ship, Tehran denies charge

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