Red Sea: Iranian authorities confirm April 6 attack against vessel in the Red Sea /update 1

Event

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed April 7 that an Iranian-flagged vessel, the Saviz, had been attacked in the Red Sea the previous day. The statement followed media reports that the Saviz was targeted by limpet mines off the coast of Yemen. Iranian authorities reported that an explosion occurred the morning of April 6 near the coast of Djibouti, causing minor damage but no casualties. The vessel was allegedly a civilian ship stationed in the area on an anti-piracy mission. Iran has not stated what caused the blast or who was behind it. Authorities are investigating the incident. Claims by some sources that the Saviz is an intelligence-gathering vessel linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) remain unconfirmed.

The incident will likely prompt heightened security, which could potentially cause some disruptions to shipping and maritime transport through the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman.

Advice

Exercise caution and reconfirm routes with maritime authorities if transiting or shipping freight through the Red Sea in the coming days.