“Whilst details regarding the incident remain unclear it remains a realistic possibility that the event was the result of asymmetric activity by Iranian military,” Maritime security firm Dryad Global said in its report on the incident. Those strikes were in retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor, as well as wounded US soldiers and other coalition troops. This attack on the Israeli-owned vessel comes just a few hours after the United States launched airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias along the Syrian-Iraqi border. The United States blamed Iran for suspected attacks on two oil tankers in 2019. In the past two years Iran has been linked to attacks on shipping near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic shipping lanes. ![]() According to American defence officials, the vessel sustained two holes to both its port and starboard sides just above the waterline as a result of the explosion. Nor has there been any comment from Tehran. It is reported that vehicle carrier, HELIOS RAY, experienced an explosion whilst in a position approximately 44 miles northwest of Muscat, Oman on 25 February 2021. Government and other officials, however, have not yet responded to requests for comment. Israel’s Channel 13 new team reported (without official sources) that in Israel it is believed Iran was behind the explosions. But two US defense officials told The Associated Press that the ship sustained two holes on its port side and two holes on its starboard side just above the waterline. It’s not yet clear what caused the explosions, official said. The vessel reportedly arrived safely Saturday morning in Dubai. The explosion forced the vessel, en route to Singapore from Port Dammam in Saudi Arabia, to instead change course and head for the nearest port in Dubai. Ray Shipping confirmed that its vessel was sailing under a “Bahamas flag” and was damaged “when an explosion was heard in the Persian Gulf near the Straits of Hormuz.” ![]() The MV Helios Ray belongs to Ray Shipping Ltd., which is owned by Abraham Ungar, 74, one of the richest men in Israel, The Associated Press reported.
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