Defense Minister Bnei Gantz said tonight on the “Everything Political” program on the channel here about the blast that “further investigation is needed. But we can say that the Iranians are looking to harm Israeli infrastructure or Israeli citizens, and everything related to the State of Israel. The ship’s location is relatively close to Iran at this stage “Brings the thought that there is an assessment that these are Iranians. But this is something that needs to be examined. Israel will continue to operate everywhere.”
The ship after the explosion
Various photos circulating of the damage to the HELIOS RAY corroborate reports from two US defense officials cited by AP of two holes in the port and starboard sides of the vessel (four total), just above the waterline. Signage shows damage at deck 3 level. pic.twitter.com/5PweU95UxT
– Ambrey Intelligence (@Ambrey_Intel) February 26, 2021
* The photos are not verified
Although the ship carries the flag of the Bahamas, according to the maritime security company Dried Global, it is owned by an Israeli company registered in the Isle of Man, and was on its way to Singapore with a vehicle in its belly.
As a result of the explosion, two holes about a meter and a half in diameter were opened in the side of the ship, but its engine was not damaged. A U.S. security source told Reuters that the blast occurred above the waterline and not below it, and that the holes had opened in both sides of the ship.
Place of injury
#MarineWarRisk: Yesterday at around 20:40 UTC, a vehicles carrier experienced an explosion while underway eastbound in the Gulf of Oman. Ambrey assesses the vessel was possibly targeted due to its #Israel and #UK affiliations. Read more about this incident on the Ambrey MRI. pic.twitter.com/25nakMJmX7
– Ambrey Intelligence (@Ambrey_Intel) February 26, 2021