This Image Does Not Show a U.S. Ship On Fire In The Gulf Of Aden

Misbar investigated the circulating the image and found the claim to be misleading.

Iranian Navy's Largest Warship Engulfed In Flames 

Misbar's team found that the image dates back to 2021 and depicts an Iranian ship that caught fire in the Gulf of Oman. 

On June 2, 2021, Reuters reported that an Iranian navy ship, the Kharg, sank in the Gulf of Oman after catching fire. Reports from Fars and Tasnim news agencies indicated that the largest warship in the Iranian navy, the 679-foot support vessel Kharg, caught fire and subsequently sank in the Gulf of Oman under unclear circumstances. Despite efforts to save the ship, named after the oil terminal island Kharg, all crew members were safely evacuated according to Reuters, citing a navy statement that mentioned the vessel was on a training mission.

The fire broke out at approximately 2:25 a.m., leading to attempts by firefighters to control the blaze as reported by state TV. The ship eventually sank near the Iranian port of Jask, approximately 790 miles southeast of Tehran, close to the Strait of Hormuz. The Kharg played a crucial role in providing at-sea replenishment for other Iranian navy vessels, as well as carrying heavy cargo and serving as a helicopter launch platform.

While Iranian officials did not provide a specific cause for the fire on the Kharg, the incident follows a series of unexplained explosions targeting ships in the Gulf of Oman since 2019. The U.S. Navy had previously accused Iran of using limpet mines, timed explosives attached to a vessel's hull by divers, in these attacks.

Houthi Rebels Target U.S.-Flagged Container Ship In Gulf Of Aden

The circulation of the claim came after Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched an attack on a United States-flagged container ship in the Gulf of Aden on Tuesday, marking the latest incident by the group on this vital maritime trade route.

The ship's captain reported an explosion near the vessel off the coast of Nishtun, Yemen, close to the border with Oman. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center confirmed this, while the U.S. Navy's Joint Maritime Information Center identified the vessel as the Maersk Sentosa.

The explosion occurred in an area previously targeted by the rebels, without specifying the cause. The Houthis are known to utilize drones, missiles, and bomb-carrying drone boats in their attacks.

Late on Tuesday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for three attacks, including the one on the Maersk Sentosa. Maersk, the world's largest shipping company based in Denmark, had not responded to requests for comment at the time. Following this assault, there have been no reports of further attacks in the region by shipping or military authorities.

Israeli Military Intensifies Gaza Attacks, Resulting in High Palestinian Casualties

Israel's forces has increased its assaults on the Gaza Strip, resulting in the death of at least 77 Palestinians, with many seeking refuge at a school, in what has been one of the most lethal days for the region in recent weeks.

The strikes occurred on Tuesday amidst warnings from Hamas that the escalated Israeli offensive could imperil ongoing ceasefire discussions, with new talks scheduled to commence in Doha, the capital of Qatar. In the town of Abbasan, located east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, an Israeli airstrike on the al-Awdah school claimed the lives of at least 30 individuals and left 53 others injured, predominantly women and children as confirmed by Palestinian medical staff.

A Palestinian boy recounted to Al Jazeera the harrowing ordeal, stating he witnessed the loss of multiple family members in the attack. Overwhelmed with emotion, he expressed, “We were sitting there when a missile hit, destroying everything. I lost my uncle, cousins, and relatives.”

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