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Tehran denounces attack on its merchant ship in the Mediterranean

An Iranian container ship has been attacked in the Mediterranean and suffered losses, as announced today Friday (12/3) his state shipping company Iran, according to the ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ.

The company warned that it would take legal action to identify the perpetrators of this “terrorism” and “piracy”, as it characterized the incident.

The Shahre Kod ship suffered minor damage on Wednesday from an object that exploded and caused a small fire. None of the crew was injured, company spokesman Ali Yassian said, according to Iranian state media.

“Such terrorist acts are tantamount to piracy “They are contrary to international law on the safety of merchant shipping,” Gassian said, adding that Tehran would identify the perpetrators “through the relevant international institutions.”

The ship was heading to Europe when the attack took place and will sail to its destination after the appropriate repairs are made.

Two sources in the field of maritime safety said that the initial indications are that the Shahre Kod was deliberately targeted by an unknown source.

Damage to an Israeli ship two weeks ago

The incident came two weeks after an Israeli ship, the MV Helios Ray, was damaged by an explosion while sailing in the Gulf of Oman. The cause is not clear, but a U.S. defense official said the blast caused holes on both sides of the hull. Israel has blamed Iran, but Tehran denies any responsibility.

Today, Israeli officials declined to comment when asked if Israel was involved in the Shahre Kord incident.

A third maritime safety source told Reuters that three other Iranian ships had been damaged in recent weeks for unknown reasons while sailing in the Red Sea.

The Wall Street Journal writes that Israel targeted at least a dozen ships bound for Syria, most of which were carrying Iranian oil. Israeli officials declined to comment on the report, which cites unnamed US and local officials. The US embassy in Jerusalem also did not comment.

* File photo

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