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Iran reportedly behind rocket attack on Israeli-owned cargo ship

Israeli media said the ship was able to continue its voyage despite the damage
A number of countries engage in exercises in the Arabian Sea, 19 March (AFP)

An Iranian missile was responsible for damaging a cargo ship owned by an Israeli company in the Arabian Sea on Thursday, Israeli media reported.

According to Israel's Channel 12 news, the ship, sailing from Tanzania to India, was able to continue its voyage despite the damage.

The report said the ship was owned by XT Management, based in the port city of Haifa.

Reuters could not immediately confirm the incident or reach officials at the company for comment. A spokeswoman at Israel's foreign ministry told Reuters they were checking the report.

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Last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Iran for an explosion aboard an Israeli-owned ship in the Gulf of Oman.

The vehicle carrier MV Helios Ray was hit between the night of 25 February and morning of 26 February by a blast above the water line that a US official said ripped holes in both sides of its hull.

An Israeli official said limpet mines were used.

Iran denied involvement at the time.

“We strongly reject this accusation,” said Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman for the foreign ministry in Tehran.

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