Oil tanker owned by Israeli billionaire 'hit by a projectile' off Oman coast

The vessel, which departed from Sohar on Monday afternoon for Buenos Aires, is operated by Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping, which is ultimately owned by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer.

Eastern Pacific Shipping said in a statement: "Preliminary reports indicate the vessel, carrying a cargo of gas oil, was hit by a projectile approximately 150 miles off the coast of Oman at about 15:30 (UTC+4) on 15 November 2022.

"We are in communication with the vessel and there is no reports of injuries or pollution. All crew are safe and accounted for.

"There is some minor damage to the vessel’s hull but no spillage of cargo or water ingress. Our priorities are to ensure the continuing safety of the crew and vessel."

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicion has fallen immediately on Iran due to recent rising tensions with Israel.

Israel's Channel 13 cited Israeli defence officials who estimated that Iran was behind the attack, but that the main goal was to disrupt preparations for the football World Cup in nearby Qatar, rather than hit an Israeli target.

Qatar and Iran have good relations, but Israelis will be allowed to travel to and attend the World Cup. Iran is due to face England in its first match of the tournament on Monday.

This is not the first drone attack on an Israeli-lined vessel. The US has also blamed Iran for a number of attacks on ships off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in 2019.

Iranian state media has not yet commented on the attack on the Pacific Zircon.