The largest ship of the Iranian Navy sank after it was exposed to a fire in the Gulf of Oman

The largest ship of the Iranian navy sank today, Tuesday, after it was exposed to a fire on board on Monday, off the coast of the city of Jask., located in the Gulf of Oman, as confirmed by the authorities of the Central Asian country.

The Navy has detailed in a statement that The ‘Neighbour’, its largest vessel by tonnage, was hit by a fire of as yet unspecified causes during the day on Tuesday., without efforts to extinguish it was successful.

In doing so, it indicated that the crew was evacuated and transferred to Jask during the recently unsuccessful firefighting missions, according to the Iranian Mehr news agency.

The Navy confirmed that the ship, which has been operating for more than four decades, was sent to international waters a few days ago to participate in exercises.

The crew can be evacuated before the ship sank off the port of JaskIn southern Iran, according to a Navy statement.

The text stated that the fire started in “one of the systems” of the ship, without giving further details.

The Navy said emergency services fought for “20 hours” after the crew evacuated the ship, but “as the fire spread, the ‘Exit’ rescue mission failed and the ship sank near Jask.”

The text added that the ship, which has been in service for decades, recently carried out a “training mission” in international waters.

In 2020, 19 Iranian sailors were killed during maneuvers after a warship was shot.

In April, the Iranian authorities announced that a “merchant vessel”, the Saviz, had sustained material damage in the Red Sea due to an explosion of unknown origin.

The The New York Times It stated that “Savez” was the target of an Israeli attack, in response to “previous Iranian attacks on Israeli ships.”

A few days ago, the Iranian regime announced that the pipeline project to Jask has been completed And that the oil had been transported to the port.

For Iran, exporting crude oil through Jask means getting several days of navigation, in relation to the port of Kharg in the Gulf, as well as avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, the center of major tensions between Iran and the United States, whose warships are located. in the region.

Because of US sanctions against Iran, imposed by the government of former US President Donald Trump to reduce exports from the Islamic Republic, Tehran is very cautious about oil shipments destined for the few customers that still dare to buy it.

(With information from AFP and Europa Press)

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