US Navy investigation: Iranian drone hit Israeli-linked tanker

The Navy said explosives experts boarded the ship to assess the damage, including a 30-inch-wide (76 centimeters) hole drilled in the side, and to collect debris and bomb residue. The evidence was taken to a laboratory at the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in the Arab Gulf nation of Bahrain.

Navy investigators concluded that the drone used was an Iranian Shahed-136, the same type of bomb-carrying drone Iran supplied to Russia in its war against Ukraine. Iranian drones were used by Yemeni rebels to attack Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates earlier this year, the navy said.

“Iran’s attack on a commercial tanker transiting international waters was deliberate, flagrant and dangerous, endangering the lives of the ship’s crew and destabilizing maritime security in the Middle East,” Vice Admiral Brad said. Cooper, Commander of US Naval Forces Central Command.

The Pacific Zircon is operated by Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping, which is a company ultimately owned by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer. Israeli and US officials said at the time of the attack they suspected Iran was behind it.

Iran has denied any involvement in the attack, with its mission to the United Nations calling the allegations “fake news” in a statement last week. There was no immediate comment from Iranian officials on the US investigation.

Last year, an alleged Iranian drone strike hit the Israeli-associated oil tanker Mercer Street off Oman, killing two people on board. In recent months, Iran has gone after its perceived enemies abroad amid months-long nationwide protests calling for the overthrow of its ruling clerics.