A U.S. official told the New York Times that the U.S. was updated on the attack that was defined as retaliation • Last night, heavy damage to the Red Sea vessel was reported
The ship "Sabiz" that was attacked in the Red Sea
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 (Tuesday).
The source, who spoke to the newspaper under conditions of anonymity, said that the Israelis defined the attack as retaliation for the attacks of the Iranians against Israeli vessels, and that the ship was damaged below the waterline.
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.
According to reports, the ship, named "Sabiz", was hit by a single 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
The Tasanim news agency reported from senior Iranian regime officials that an Iranian ship had indeed been hit in the Red Sea in an accident that involved naval mines.
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.