The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for a missile attack on a commercial vessel passing through the Gulf region. However, British maritime authorities did not specify the assailant or the type of weapon used, and local reports from Iraq suggested the possibility of mechanical failure.
On June 2, Iranian state media Press TV and Russia's RIA Novosti reported that the IRGC navy attacked the Panama-flagged container ship MSC Sariska with cruise missiles. The IRGC identified the vessel as being linked to the United States and Israel.
The IRGC stated that the attack was a retaliation for a previous incident in which the Iranian vessel Lian Star was reportedly attacked by U.S. forces in the Oman Sea. They warned of a stronger response if the U.S. conducts further attacks in the region.
Prior to the IRGC's announcement, reports indicated that the MSC Sariska had sustained damage from an explosion in the Gulf area. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a ship approximately 40 nautical miles southeast of Umm Qasr, Iraq, was struck by an unidentified projectile, resulting in a significant explosion. All crew members were reported safe.
Conversely, local Iraqi reports indicated that no external attack had been confirmed. Iran International cited the Iraqi media outlet Al-Sumaria, which reported that the MSC Sariska experienced an explosion after completing cargo unloading at Umm Qasr port, suggesting that internal mechanical failure might be the cause. Al-Sumaria noted that initial investigations did not confirm signs of an external attack.
The incident has led to conflicting narratives, with the IRGC asserting missile involvement, UKMTO reporting an unidentified projectile strike, and Iraqi media suggesting mechanical issues. As of now, the exact cause and responsible party for the incident remain officially unverified.
This event comes amid ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran regarding an extension of a ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. As both sides engage in a war of words over the wording of a memorandum of understanding (MOU), the claims of an attack on a commercial vessel add to the uncertainty surrounding the negotiations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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