Merchant Vessel MV Chem Pluto Struck by Drone Off Indian Coastline

A merchant vessel, MV Chem Pluto, was struck by a drone 400 km off the Indian coastline, and arrived at the Mumbai port under the protection of the Indian Coast Guard after the attack. A Navy inspection confirmed the drone strike, and further forensic and technical analysis will be required to ascertain all the details. The attack occurred amid a spate of recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Arabian Sea, prompting the deployment of warships and maritime patrol aircraft by the Navy and the Indian Coast Guard. The Pentagon claimed the tanker ship was targeted by a drone "fired from Iran," marking the first time it openly accused Iran of directly targeting ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. The vessel, carrying crude oil, is scheduled for mandatory checks and repairs following the attack.

• MV Chem Pluto struck by drone 400 km off Indian coastline
• Navy confirms drone strike, further analysis needed
• Spate of recent attacks prompts deployment of warships and patrol aircraft
• Pentagon accuses Iran of targeting the ship
• Vessel carrying crude oil scheduled for mandatory checks and repairs