As part of the first official reference by an Islamic State official to the incident in the Red Sea, it was reported that only minor damage was caused and there were no casualties • According to Arab publications, an Israeli commando placed the mines on the ship
A photograph from above of the ship "Saviz"
Photo:
IP
The Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed this morning (Wednesday) that the ship "Sabiz" was hit in the Red Sea, after reports of the attack attributed to Israel.
According to an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, only "minor damage" was done to the ship and there were no casualties.
According to the spokesman, mines were laid on the ship, which according to Arab publications were laid by the Israeli commando.
It was also reported that the ship sailed with the aim of "protecting the area from pirates".
The Iranians said the incident was under investigation.
Earlier, a U.S. official told the New York Times that Israel had informed the United States that its forces had attacked the Iranian ship around 7:30 a.m. yesterday.
Media in the Arab world reported last night that a ship of the Revolutionary Guards was attacked in the Red Sea and caused heavy damage.
The ship was reportedly hit by a lone missile fired at it and it was difficult to continue sailing.
WATCH: Al Arabiya's cameras monitored the #Iranian Saviz ship that has been stationed for three years in international waters in the Red Sea near the #Yemeni coasts.
Read More: https://t.co/zKSe546ns3 pic.twitter.com/cP1qW0cEAn
- Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) October 1, 2018
Media outlets affiliated with the Iranian Diaspora opposition reported that the ship was severely damaged and was sinking.
It has previously been reported that the vessel, disguised as a cargo ship, serves the Revolutionary Guards as a front base for intelligence gathering, liaison with vessels and for the collection and distribution of weapons for pro-Iranian forces in the region.
In the past, pictures of the ship were published, with fast-moving vessels of the Revolutionary Guards and heavy machine guns on board.
The ship was also documented hooking up with other ships used in the Iranian oil smuggling effort, including the ship "Shahar Kurd" that was attacked in the Mediterranean last month.
The civilian intelligence company ISI has previously reported that the Sabies have been moored in the Red Sea for two years.