Israeli-operated oil tanker attacked off of Oman
Israeli-operated oil tanker is attacked off of Oman amid heightened tensions with Iran
- Israeli-operated oil tanker Mercer Street has been attacked off coast of Oman
- Ship was hit late Thursday night just northeast of the island of Masirah
- Zodiac, the UK-based and Israeli-owned firm which operates the ship, said it is investigating ‘suspected piracy incident’ – but Britain’s MoD ruled out piracy
- Comes amid shadow-war between Israel and Iran that has seen ships frequently targeted around the Arabian Peninsula in the last three years
An Israeli-operated oil tanker has been attacked off the coast of Oman.
The M/T Mercer Street, a Japanese-owned ship managed by an Israeli-owned company, was targeted late Thursday near the island of Masirah in the Arabian Sea.
Operating firm Zodiac Maritime confirmed the attack on Twitter, which was also confirmed by the UK’s Ministry of Defence because the company is based in Britain.
It comes amid a shadow war being waged between Israel and Iran which has seen frequent attacks on vessels around the Arabian peninsula in the last three years.
Details about the attack are still sparse, and what little information has been released appears contradictory.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, a branch of the Royal Navy, said the attack happened Thursday night and did not involve piracy.
However, a statement put out by Zodiac said the company is investigating ‘a suspected piracy incident’ on board the vessel.
The company said the tanker was travelling from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest port, to Fujairah in the UAE when the attack happened, and had no cargo on board.
‘We will provide additional information as it becomes available,’ the statement said.
Israeli officials did not immediately acknowledge the incident, and neither did Iranian state-owned media.
But it comes amid heightened tensions between it and Iran as negotiations remain stalled over Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers.
Other Israeli ships have been targeted in recent months as well amid a shadow war between the two nations, which has also seen Iranian vessels attacked.
Earlier on Thursday, the British military group had said it was investigating another unexplained incident in the same area, but it did not elaborate.
Later Friday, the British Defense Ministry identified the nationality of the ship’s owners, but did not elaborate further.
Oman did not immediately acknowledge an attack and officials there did not respond to requests for comment.
The U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, which patrols the Mideast, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions over Iran’s tattered nuclear deal and as negotiations over restoring the accord have stalled in Vienna.
Since then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord in 2018, there have been a series of ship attacks in the region suspected to have been carried out by Tehran.
Iranian media did not immediately acknowledge the attack Friday.
