Britain’s Maritime Trade Operations Authority said on Friday it had become aware of a drone hovering over a ship this morning in the Gulf of Oman, about 50 nautical miles southwest of Muscat, Reuters reported.
The authorities added on their website that the ship and its crew are safe.
Earlier this week, an oil tanker was attacked off the coast of Oman, which US Central Command said was carried out using an Iranian-made drone.
At the time, private sources told Al-Hurra that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard was behind the attack on an oil tanker owned by Israeli businessmen off the coast of Oman.
Sources said on Wednesday that intelligence estimated the attack was most likely carried out by a Shahed 136 drone, which is the same drone that Iran provided to Russia for use in its war with Ukraine.
Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping Company said the Pacific Zircon was hit about 150 miles off the coast of Oman, adding: “We are in contact with the ship and there are no reports of injury or contamination.”
“There is minor damage to the ship’s hull, but no fuel leakage or water intrusion. Our priority is to ensure the safety of the crew and the ship,” said the company, owned by Israeli billionaire Aidan Ofer.