CAIRO, Aug 13 (Reuters) – Two crude oil tanker ships reported coming under attack in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen on Tuesday, although neither reported damage, maritime security agencies said.
Assaults on vessels
The attempted assaults on those vessels, identified as the Liberia-flagged Delta Atlantica and the Panama-flagged On Phoenix, bear the hallmarks of Iran-aligned Houthi militant attacks on international cargo shipping in solidarity with Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas.
Tuesday’s attacks
The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s attacks. The vessels and crew in both incidents are safe and proceeding to their next ports of call. The ships’ managers did not immediately comment.
Sunk two ships
The Houthi campaign, which since November has sunk two ships and killed at least three sailors, has persisted despite U.S. and British strikes on equipment as well as launch sites in Yemen.
Senior Iranian officials
Three senior Iranian officials on Tuesday told Reuters that only a ceasefire deal in Gaza stemming from hoped-for talks this week would hold Iran back from direct retaliation against Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on its soil.
Middle East war
With an increased risk of a broader Middle East war after the killings of Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, Iran has been involved in intense dialogue with Western countries and the United States in recent days on ways to calibrate retaliation, sources told Reuters.
The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) identified the Delta Atlantica and the On Phoenix as ships targeted in attacks on Tuesday.
Ambrey and JIMC
The captain of the ship identified as the Delta Atlantica reported three incidents, including two approaches by drone boats, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency and British maritime security firm Ambrey and JIMC.
Threat of Houthi
The threat of Houthi attacks has forced many ships that rely on the Suez Canal shortcut between Asia and Europe to reroute around Africa – driving up transportation costs, delaying goods, and increasing pollution from ships.
DELTA ATLANTICA
DELTA ATLANTICA (IMO: 9419101) is a Crude Oil Tanker and is sailing under the flag of Liberia. Her length overall (LOA) is 274.2 meters and her width is 50 meters.
ON PHOENIX
ON PHOENIX (IMO: 9893228) is a Crude Oil Tanker and is sailing under the flag of Panama. Her length overall (LOA) is 250 meters and her width is 44.03 meters.
