Iranian navy ship hit by missile in fatal friendly-fire incident in Gulf – The Guardian

An Iranian missile fired in the course of a education physical exercise in the Gulf of Oman struck a help vessel in the vicinity of its target, killing at minimum 19, amid heightened tensions in between Tehran and the US.

The welcoming fireplace incident transpired on Sunday around the port of Jask, 790 mile south-east of Tehran, in the Gulf of Oman. Iran’s military claimed 19 people died and 15 were hurt.

The missile struck the Konarak, a Hendijan-course guidance ship, having element in the physical exercise.

Point out tv described the missile strike as an incident, saying the Konarak experienced remained as well near to the focus on. The Konarak experienced been placing targets out in the drinking water for other ships to fireplace upon, it explained.

Iranian media said the Konarak experienced been overhauled in 2018 and was equipped to launch sea and anti-ship missiles. The Dutch-produced, forty seven-metre (155-foot) vessel was in service given that 1988 and had ability of forty tons. It generally carries a crew of 20 sailors.

Iran frequently retains workout routines in the location, which is closed to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the slim mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of the worlds oil passes. The US Navy’s 5th Fleet, which screens the location, did not instantly reply to a request for comment.

Iranian media almost never report on mishaps throughout its workouts, signalling the severity of the incident. It will come amid months of heightened tensions amongst Iran and the US considering that President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from Tehran’s nuclear deal with planet powers in 2018 and imposed crushing sanctions on the nation.

In January, Iran shot down a Ukrainian passenger aircraft by oversight soon after it had taken off from Tehran, killing all 176 individuals on board.