Tehran has denied the charge, calling these “repetitive accusations”. “In the discussion of maritime security in the region, the Islamic Republic of Iran has always played a role in ensuring security in international waters and waterways. Iran has consistently acted responsibly in this regard and has taken on a significant part of regional and international efforts to secure international waters,” Iranian Foreign MInistry spokesperson said.
A Pentagon spokesperson on Sunday alleged that the attack on MV Chem Pluto was carried out by a “one-way attack drone fired from Iran”.
“The motor vessel CHEM PLUTO, a Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Netherlands-operated chemical tanker was struck at approximately 10 am local time (6 am GMT) today (Saturday) in the Indian Ocean, 200 nautical miles from the coast of India, by a one-way attack drone fired from Iran,” the spokesperson had said.
Incidentally, the cargo ship MV Chem Pluto was “Israel-affiliated”, according to Ambrey, a maritime security firm.
MV Chem Pluto, a cargo vessel carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia which was targeted in a drone attack. The chemical tanker, under the Liberian flag, owned by Japan, and operated by the Netherlands, was struck by the drone on December 23, about 200 nautical miles off the Indian coast. It was carrying crude oil from Al Jubail port in Saudi Arabia to New Mangalore port.The cargo ship reached Mumbai port on Monday under the protection of the Indian Coast Guard ship ICGS Vikram.
