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An Iranian missile fired during a training exercise in the Gulf of Oman hit a support ship near its target, killing 19 sailors and injuring 15, Iran’s state media reported Monday amid tensions between Tehran and United States.
The statement significantly increased the death toll in Sunday’s incident from what was reported just hours earlier, when Iran’s state media said at least one sailor was killed.
The Konarak, a Hendijan-class support ship participating in the exercise, was too close to a target during an exercise on Sunday when the incident occurred, according to reports. The ship had been sending targets to other ships to target. The media said the missile accidentally hit the ship.
The friendly fire incident occurred near the port of Jask, about 1,270 km southeast of Tehran in the Gulf of Oman, state television said.
A local hospital admitted 12 sailors and treated three others with minor injuries, the state news agency IRNA reported.
Iranian media said Konarak had been overhauled in 2018 and was capable of launching anti-ship and maritime missiles. The Dutch-made 47-meter vessel had been in service since 1988 and had a capacity of 40 tons. It usually carries a crew of 20 sailors.
Iran regularly exercises in the region, which is closed to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of the world’s oil passes. The 5th Fleet of the US Navy The US, which monitors the region, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Iranian media rarely reports mishaps during its exercises, indicating the seriousness of the incident. This incident also occurs amid intense tensions between Iran and the US. USA Since President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers in 2018 and imposed crushing sanctions on the country.
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