Commercial Ships Not Targeted by Israeli Strike Against Iran

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Commercial ships transiting the Arabian Gulf and Western Indian Ocean were not the "intended target" of Israel's attack against Iran on Friday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.

Earlier in the day, US media reported that Israel had carried out an airstrike on the Iranian province of Isfahan in response to Tehran's missile and drone attack against the Jewish state over the weekend.

"UKMTO are aware of media reports of an Israeli military strike against Iran. Vessels transiting the Arabian Gulf and Western Indian Ocean may observe increased UAS activity in the region. There are currently no indications commercial maritime vessels are the intended target," UKMTO said in a statement.

Israel carried out strikes on Iran, explosions were reportedly heard in the cities of Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz according to media reports. Explosions were also reported in Syria an Iraq, media reported.

An explosion in Iran's Isfahan was heard near the airport and the 8th… pic.twitter.com/XgwafZ8e1q

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Ship masters are required to report "any suspicious activity" in the region, the statement read.

On Saturday night, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel in its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. The attack came in response to Israel's airstrike on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital in early April. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israel had intercepted 99% of the aerial targets fired by Iran, including all drones.