Title: USS Navy Foils Hijacking in Gulf of Aden, Tanker Linked to Israel
The US Navy swoops in and saves a tanker under siege in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel, the "Central Park," was in distress, sending out an SOS. A nearby US navy ship, the "USS Mason," sprang into action, demanding release of the tanker. Five gunmen tried to flee in a speedboat, only to be apprehended. The tanker, owned by a British firm reportedly tied to Israel, wasn't the first to endure such an ordeal.
Smoke signals went up as gunmen seized the chemical tanker "Central Park" in the Red Sea. The US Navy swooped in, orchestrating the tanker's liberation. The incident occurred off the Gulf of Aden. The navy ship "USS Mason" was already on watch, lurking in the vicinity. Upon receiving the distress call, the USS Mason ordered the tanker's release. Five armed men, reckless in a speedboat, attempted a getaway. They didn't make it far, as they were quickly apprehended. Owned by a British company with ties to Israel, the tanker was no stranger to perilous encounters.
Yemen's insurgent Houthi forces interjected once more, firing two missiles at the two ships. Luckily, the missiles never came close to their marks, plunging into the deep blue seas approximately ten nautical miles from the ships. Houthis, backed by Iran, had already captured another vessel linked to Israel in the Red Sea the previous week. Satisfyingly, the rebels had gone silent on the matter.
USA Fingers Iran
Just a few days prior, an Israeli ship in the Indian Ocean was shaken by Iranian aggression. A military representative from the US stated that they had intel indicating a "Shaykh 136 drone" had struck a ship in the Indian Ocean. The ship, attributed to an Israeli businessman, sustained some minor scratches on Friday. Ledgers showed no casualties were reported. Drones of the same make and model belong to the Iranian military's arsenal, hinting at a sinister attachment.
Iran has long been accused of spearheading severe attacks on ships in the region, a claim they have vehemently refuted.
The "Central Park," tied to Israel, had previously endured hijacking in the Red Sea at the hands of anonymous culprits. This incident happened prior to the hijacking in the Gulf of Aden, where the US Navy intervened and secured the tanker. Simultaneously, international shipping routes continue to bear the heavy burden of Houthi uprisings, said to be sponsored by Iran.
The debate surrounding Iran's role in the unfolding series of vessel hijackings grew even more heated with the fall of yet another Israeli-connected vessel in the Red Sea. This chilling episode paved the way for Houthi missile and drone assaults targeting Israel. Reports indicated missiles narrowly missed US and Israeli vessels in the vicinity.
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Enrichment Insights:
- Galaxy Leader Hijacking: On Jan 29, 2025, Iran aided in the hijacking of the car transporter Galaxy Leader by Houthi rebels near Al-Hudaida. This incident illustrated Iran's indirect offensive stance against maritime activities in the region.[4]
- Iran's Drone Carrier: Iran recently acquired a vessel, capable of launching drones and helicopters at sea. This drone carrier, along with the Shahid Beheshti, forms part of Iran's military expansion plans to increase its defense capabilities in the region.[2]
- Iranian Drone Attacks: Iran has allegedly employed drone strikes on several Israeli ships. Notably, specifics related to the tanker "Central Park" hijacking incident were not provided in the sources.[2]
- Regional Tensions: Iran's hostile relationships with its adversaries, such as Israel and the US, has triggered regular military exercises and the unveiling of new weaponry, including the drone carrier, to boost Iran's defense and deterrence potential in the region.[2]
