Iran-Linked Attack Hijacks Chemical Tanker Near Yemen Amid US-Iran Strikes in Gulf

On Friday morning, the British Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) reported the hijacking of the chemical tanker ASANA in the Gulf of Aden, approximately 120 kilometers south of Al-Mokha port in eastern Yemen. Armed assailants boarded the vessel, which was en route to Bosaso, Somalia, carrying chemical products.

Amid ongoing clashes between Iran and the United States, satellite imagery released by Soar Atlas revealed damage to US military installations in the Gulf region. The images showed a hit on a US Patriot air defense system located at Erbil International Airport in Iraq. Additionally, three buildings were completely destroyed at the Zayed military complex in Abu Dhabi.

Further satellite photos documented strikes on Iranian military sites, including the underground airbase "Nesher 44," where multiple impacts were visible along the tunnel runway and infrastructure. Damage was also observed at Bandar Abbas port, notably to two buildings and a southern observation tower.

Separately, Kuwait's Ministry of Electricity, Water and Energy announced that Iranian aggression caused a fire and significant damage at one of its power and water desalination plants. Emergency measures were implemented to stabilize the electricity system and mitigate the incident's effects.

These developments come after a continuous series of retaliatory actions between Iran and the US, highlighting escalating tensions in the Gulf and surrounding regions.