Iranian Boats Fire Shots at Singapore-Flagged Cargo Ship in Persian Gulf

Sputnik News

17:02 14.05.2015(updated 18:58 14.05.2015)

Five small boats believed to be manned by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy fired warning shots across the bow of the Singapore-registered tanker the Alpine Eternity in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, CNN reported, citing an unnamed US official.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Five small boats believed to be manned by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy fired shots across the bow of the Singapore-registered tanker the Alpine Eternity in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, CNN reported, citing an unnamed US official.

The attack took place in international waters just off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to media reports, the shooting by Iranian boats was 'an attempt to potentially stop' the Alpine Eternity. The cargo vessel was reportedly hit several times but sustained no serious damage.

CNN said the attacked vessel escaped by entering the territorial waters of the UAE.

The UAE has sent three coast guard boats to assist the Alpine Eternity.

According to Marine Traffic, the Alpine Eternity is a 183-meter long oil and chemical tanker with gross tonnage of 29,130. It was built in 2009.

Several incidents with Iranian boats threatening cargo ships in the area have been reported over the past weeks.

In April, Iranian patrol boats in the Strait of Hormuz fired across the bridge of the Maersk Tigris, a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship. The incident came just several days after several Iranian boats "encircled and threatened" a US-registered vessel, the Maersk Kensington.

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