
Analysis confirmed that drone was Iranian Shahed-136 UAV
Central Command has now launched particulars and imagery substantiating its findings that an Iranian drone was the “projectile” that struck a product tanker managed by Idan Ofer’s Eastern Pacific Shipping on November 15, when it was 150 miles off the coast of Oman.
Two U.S. Navy explosive ordnance technicians boarded the vessel, the Liberian-flagged M/T Pacific Zircon, on November 16, to evaluate the harm and accumulate unmanned aerial automobile (UAV) particles fragments for forensic evaluation. During a two-hour survey and proof assortment course of, the technicians additionally obtained explosive residue samples for lab testing.
U.S. fifth Fleet transported the gathered proof to a lab at its Bahrain headquarters the place technicians confirmed Iran’s connection to the drone assault.
The aerial drone that hit the industrial tanker was recognized as a Shahed-136 UAV, becoming a historic sample of Iran’s growing use of a deadly functionality immediately or by its proxies throughout the Middle East.
On November 15, the explosive-laden aerial drone struck the Pacific Zircon at roughly 7:30 p.m. Sea, tearing a 30-inch-wide gap into the again of the ship whereas subsequently penetrating and damaging inner compartments. The UAV’s explosive impression additionally broken a shipboard boiler, potable water tank and life raft.
“The Iranian 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,” stated Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. fifth Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces.
Cooper additionally serves because the multinational activity drive commander for the International Maritime Security Construct, a 10-member naval coalition whose forces present maritime safety close to the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb.
On studying of the assault, the British Royal Navy dispatched frigate HMS Lancaster (F229) to the scene. U.S. fifth Fleet additionally directed guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), patrol coastal ship USS Chinook (PC 9) and a P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol plane to help and assess the state of affairs.
Iran has equipped aerial drone expertise to the Houthis in Yemen utilized in assaults towards Saud Arabia and the United Arab Emirates earlier this yr.
Additionally, the Shahed-136 platform is similar aerial drone Iran has equipped to Russia to be used towards Ukraine.