An Iranian missile that was fired during a naval training exercise, struck a support vessel on Sunday, May 10th, 2020. This exercise was being conducted near the port of Jask, which is 1,270 KMs or 790 miles southeast of Tehran. It is on the Gulf of Oman. It killed at least one sailor and wounded some others.
Tehran: An Iranian missile that was fired during a naval training exercise in the Gulf of Oman accidentally struck a support vessel near its target. It killed at least one sailor and wounded some other sailors. It happened during the heightened tensions between Iran and the US.
This friendly fire incident took place on Sunday, May 10th, 2020. It happened near the Port of Jask. It is about 1,270 KMs or 790 miles southeast of Tehran. It is on the Gulf of Oman. This incident was reported by a state TV channel on Monday May 11th.
This missile struck the Konarak, a Hendijan class support ship, which was also taking part in that exercise.
The state Television that reported the incidence of missile strike as an accident. It said that the Konarak had remained too close to the target of that missile. The Konarak had been putting targets out in the water for otherships to fire upon, as reported by the state TV.
The Iranian media reported that the Konarak had been overhauled in the year 2018. It was able to launch sea missiles. It is a Dutch made, 47 meter or 155-foot vessel. It was in service since the year 1988. It has the capacity of 40 tons. This vessel usually carries a crew of 20 sailors.
Iran is reportedly holding regular naval exercises in this sea region. It is close to strategic Straits of Hormuz. It is the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes. There was no response for comment from the US Navy’s 5th fleet, that is responsible to monitor over this region.
Iranian media rarely reports on mishaps during its exercises. It does not signal the severity of the incident.
This incident comes in the month when the tension between the US and Iran is heightened. President Donald Trump of US unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal of Tehran with the world powers in the year 2018. He also imposed crushing sanction on the country, Iran.