i24NEWS reports an explosion at a natural gas terminal in Egypt, with initial assessments suggesting tankers may have been struck by drones. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast, according to Israeli media reports.
i24NEWS reported Wednesday evening that an explosion at an Egyptian natural gas terminal may have involved multiple tankers struck by drones. The report follows a rapidly evolving sequence of reports earlier Wednesday evening, in which the incident escalated from an unconfirmed drone strike on a single U.S.-owned LNG storage facility to a confirmed suicide drone strike on a U.S. gas tanker.
The sequence began at 19:04 Jerusalem, when the maritime security firm Ambrey reported that a U.S.-owned LNG floating storage facility was struck by at least one drone at Damietta Port. Egypt's Maritime Security Authority then confirmed an airstrike on the facility, and reports linked the strike to prior Iranian threats. Reuters, citing two security sources, confirmed that gas storage tankers were hit by drones at the Damietta LNG terminal. Israeli media reported a suspected drone attack on an American gas tanker, and Reuters later confirmed that an American-owned gas tanker was struck by a suicide drone. The new i24NEWS report suggests that multiple tankers may have been struck.
The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions between Iran and the United States. As The Zioneer has reported, Iran has launched ballistic missiles at U.S. bases in Jordan and other Gulf states in recent weeks. The Damietta strike follows Iranian threats to target American assets in response to the Ukraine strike on an Iranian ship earlier this week.
The cause of the explosion and the exact number of tankers involved remain under investigation. No group has claimed responsibility. The link to Iran, while speculated in some reports, has not been officially confirmed. No casualties or damage to port infrastructure have been reported.
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
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