Iran’s largest warship sinks in Gulf of Oman -------------------------------------------------- The largest ship in the Iranian navy has sunk after catching fire in the Gulf of Oman under unclear circumstances -------------------------------------------------- RECENT MIDDLE EAST SHIPPING INCIDENTS -------------------------------------------------- 1 Jan 4, 2021: Iranian forces seize South Korean-flagged tanker Hankuk Chemi near Strait of Hormuz, amid dispute with Seoul over billions of dollars in frozen oil revenue. Vessel released three months later -------------------------------------------------- 2 Feb 26: Explosion damages Israeli-owned Helios Ray cargo ship in Gulf of Oman. Israel blames Iran for attack -------------------------------------------------- 3 Mar 10: Iranian container vessel Shahr e Kord slightly damaged after being hit by explosive object in Eastern Mediterranean -------------------------------------------------- 4 Mar 25: Israeli-owned Lori container ship damaged after being hit by suspected Iranian missile attack in Arabian Sea -------------------------------------------------- 5 Apr 7: Iran’s Saviz cargo ship – believed to be used as floating military base – struck by explosion off coast of Yemen -------------------------------------------------- 6 Apr 13: Israeli-owned Hyperion Ray vehicle carrier sustains minor damage in reported missile attack off UAE’s Fujairah port -------------------------------------------------- 7 Jun 2: Support ship Kharg (left) – Iran’s largest naval vessel by tonnage – catches fire and sinks near port of Jask. Ship entered Iranian service in 1984 -------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 500km 300 miles IRAN ISRAEL YEMEN UAE -------------------------------------------------- Sources: AP, Reuters, Times of Israel Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS