The Liberian-flagged oil tanker Pacific Zircon was hit by a Shahed-136 on Tuesday night, causing damage but no injuries. Pacific Zircon is operated by Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping, which is a company ultimately owned by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer. According to a BBC report, a Western official said the drone was launched by the regional command of the IRGC Air Force in the southeastern city of Chabahar. An Israeli defense source separately told Army Radio that the drone was launched from Iranian territory, saying: “The Iranians are no longer hiding behind their proxies. They have made a mistake and will not be able to avoid it [blame] for the action.” General Michael Eric Kurila, head of the United States Central Command, said in a statement that Iran was behind the attack. Get The Times of Israel Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories By signing up, you agree to the terms “This drone strike against a civilian vessel in this critical sea strait demonstrates, once again, the destabilizing nature of Iranian malign activity in the region,” Kurila said. The Liberian-flagged tanker Pacific Zircon, operated by Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping, docks at Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on August 16, 2015. (AP Photo/Nabeel Hashmi) Israeli officials, speaking anonymously to reporters, said Iran carried out the attack with a Shahed-136 munition, also known as a suicide drone. Iran has supplied the same model of drones to Russia, which uses them to target infrastructure and political targets in Ukraine. In a statement, Eastern Pacific Shipping said the Pacific Zircon, which was carrying gas oil, was “hit by a missile” about 150 miles (240 kilometers) off the coast of Oman. “We are in contact with the vessel and there are no reports of injuries or pollution. All crew are safe and accounted for,” the company said. “There is some minor damage to the vessel’s hull, but no cargo leakage or water ingress.” This undated photo released by the Ukrainian military’s Strategic Communications Directorate shows the wreckage of what Kyiv described as a downed Iranian Shahed drone near Kupiansk, Ukraine. (Directorate of Strategic Communications of the Ukrainian military via AP, File) Tehran and Israel have been engaged in a protracted shadow war in the wider Middle East, with some drone attacks targeting Israeli-linked ships traveling in the region. In one such attack in July 2021, the Mercer Street, an oil tanker owned by an Israeli businessman, was hit by a Shahed drone, killing a British and a Romanian crew member. In November of that year, Defense Minister Benny Gantz revealed the locations of two Iranian drone bases that he said were used to carry out attacks on targets at sea, including the one in Chabahar. The US also blamed Iran for a series of attacks off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in 2019. Tehran had then begun ramping up its nuclear program after the United States unilaterally withdrew from its nuclear deal with world powers. Participating Israeli businessman Idan Ofer is seen in September 2010. (Moshe Shai/Flash90) The Iranian government did not acknowledge the attack on Pacific Zircon. Since the collapse of the Iran nuclear deal, non-proliferation experts warn, the Islamic Republic has enough enriched uranium to build at least one nuclear weapon if it chooses, although Tehran insists its program is peaceful. Iran has also lashed out at its perceived enemies abroad amid months of nationwide protests now challenging its theocracy. The oil tanker attack also comes just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. While Doha maintains good relations with Tehran, with which it shares a huge offshore gas field, the Israelis will attend the soccer tournament. Iran’s national team will also face Britain and the US in first-round matches, two countries it accuses of stoking local unrest. “Iran is undermining security in the Gulf and, in the process, undermining stability during the World Cup,” an Israeli official told reporters on Wednesday. Associated Press and Times of Israel staff contributed to this report. 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