The United States announced it had destroyed a dhow in the Gulf of Oman that it said was affiliated with Iran and was being used for command-and-control and surveillance operations.
In a statement, US officials described the vessel as conducting surveillance and alleged it was part of an Iran-linked maritime network. The announcement did not provide independent verification of the vessel's ownership or detail any casualties or damage beyond the destruction of the dhow.
A dhow is a traditional wooden sailing vessel common in the region, sometimes used for fishing and transport. US authorities said the particular vessel they struck was being employed in ways that posed a security concern in the strategic waters of the Gulf of Oman.
The incident adds to already sensitive maritime dynamics in the wider Gulf region. There was no immediate public comment from Iranian authorities in response to the US accusation and action, and international verification of the US account was not available at the time of the announcement.