An Israeli billionaire's cargo ship was attacked by a suspected Iranian drone in the Indian Ocean as Israel waged war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, an American defence official claimed on Saturday, news agency Associated Press reported. The attack on the CMA CGM Symi on Friday comes as global shipping becomes more targeted in the weeks-long crisis that threatens to escalate into a larger regional conflict — even as violence has ceased and Hamas exchanges hostages for Palestinian captives held by Israel. According to the defence official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence concerns, the Malta-flagged vessel was targeted by a triangle-shaped, bomb-carrying Shahed-136 drone while in international waters. The drone burst, causing damage to the ship but not injuring any of its crew.
“We continue to monitor the situation closely,” the official was quoted by AP in its report.
The person declined to expand on what intelligence the US military obtained to determine that Iran was behind the strike, however officials assume the action was carried out by Tehran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.
Russia has deployed the same drones in its assault on Ukraine, most recently in a barrage launched Saturday that Kyiv described as Moscow's largest drone attack since the war began.
Al-Mayadeen, a pan-Arab satellite programme with ties to the Iranian-backed Lebanese terrorist organisation Hezbollah, stated that an Israeli ship had been attacked in the Indian Ocean. The story was based on unnamed sources, who were later referenced by Iranian media.
CMA CGM, a large shipper located in Marseille, France, addressed queries to Eastern Pacific Shipping, situated in Singapore. Idan Ofer, an Israeli millionaire, ultimately controls that corporation.
Eastern Pacific admitted in a statement that it was "aware of claims that a container ship under the company's management was targeted in a possible security incident overnight on Friday."
“The vessel in question is currently sailing as planned,” the statement said. “All crew are safe and well.”
Representatives at the firm declined to address any inquiries. The Israeli military sent all inquiries to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, which did not answer.
The Liberian-flagged oil tanker Pacific Zircon, also linked with Eastern Pacific, was damaged in a suspected Iranian strike off the coast of Oman in November 2022.
The crew of the Symi had been acting as if the ship was under attack in recent days.