Egyptian authorities said a fire broke out on a vessel, not an attack, and that there were no casualties, according to a Yediot report.
Egyptian authorities, citing a Yediot report, reiterated this evening that a fire—not an attack—broke out on a vessel, with no casualties. The denial follows earlier Egyptian official statements that the fire on two gas ships at an Egyptian port was caused by an engine room blaze, as The Zioneer reported at 19:04 Jerusalem.
The Zioneer's thread on this incident began at 19:04 Jerusalem with reports from Iranian regime-affiliated channels claiming a drone strike on a US-owned LNG vessel at the port of Damietta. Israeli media then reported a suspected drone attack on an American gas tanker. Egyptian sources initially denied any attack, attributing the incident to a fire. Over the following minutes, the Egyptian Oil Ministry confirmed a fire on one vessel, then expanded to several vessels, and later specified two gas ships. The most recent update from Egyptian officials, also at 19:04, attributed the fire to an engine room blaze. The source quality evolved from unverified Iranian claims to official Egyptian accounts, with the cause now identified as an engine room fire.
The incident occurs amid a backdrop of heightened regional tensions. As The Zioneer reported on June 11, 2026, there were reports of cruise missiles hitting vessels in the Gulf, and on June 5, 2026, Iran claimed its navy fired warning shots at US destroyers, a claim denied by US Central Command. Iran has also asserted a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with the IRGC striking vessels attempting unauthorized passage, as reported by The Zioneer on June 13 and July 12, 2026.
The location and identity of the vessel involved in tonight's incident have not been disclosed by Egyptian authorities. The initial claims of a drone attack, while denied, have not been independently verified. The engine room fire cause, while officially stated, has not been confirmed by independent sources.
19 developments
- StrongAl-Banna Brigades claim responsibility for attack on U.S. gas tanker in Damietta
- StrongKuwait energy ministry confirms Iranian missiles, drones struck power plant Monday night, causing large fire
- StrongSaudi Arabia says strike retaliates for drone attacks on oil facilities, warns of response to any aggression
- DevelopingExplosions and 'mysterious' fire reported at Beirut port, following earlier container yard blaze
Source and signal
- Open-source intake