Fingers Point at Iran Following Attack on Israeli Vessel in Arabian Sea

Vessels crossing Arabian Sea - File Photo
Vessels crossing Arabian Sea - File Photo
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Fingers Point at Iran Following Attack on Israeli Vessel in Arabian Sea

Vessels crossing Arabian Sea - File Photo
Vessels crossing Arabian Sea - File Photo

At least one Israeli-owned vessel was attacked in the Arabian sea on Feb. 10, a regional defense source said on Friday, in an assault that Iran is assumed to have carried out.

The source said drones were likely used and that there were no reports of casualties, Reuters reported.

British maritime security company Ambrey Intelligence said unmanned aerial systems had attacked two tankers and one bulk carrier in the Arabian sea and assessed that Tehran had mounted the attack.

This came as Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Friday that "all possible means" were on the table to prevent Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon and said the international community had to take action to stop Tehran's proliferation of advanced weapons.

Gallant said Iran was expanding its advanced weapons proliferation beyond the region despite an embargo, including talks to sell drones and precision-guided munitions to 50 countries.

"When we speak of preventing Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon, we must keep all the possible means – I repeat, all possible means on the table," he said, speaking on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.



Cyclone-ravaged Mayotte on High Alert as New Storm Approaches

FILE PHOTO: A boy carries a roofing sheet on the beach in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, in Passamainty, Mayotte, France December 20, 2024. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A boy carries a roofing sheet on the beach in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, in Passamainty, Mayotte, France December 20, 2024. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo
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Cyclone-ravaged Mayotte on High Alert as New Storm Approaches

FILE PHOTO: A boy carries a roofing sheet on the beach in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, in Passamainty, Mayotte, France December 20, 2024. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A boy carries a roofing sheet on the beach in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, in Passamainty, Mayotte, France December 20, 2024. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo

Residents of the French territory of Mayotte braced Sunday for a storm expected to bring strong winds and flash floods less than a month after the Indian Ocean archipelago was devastated by a deadly cyclone.

Mayotte was placed on red alert from 1900 GMT on Saturday in anticipation of the passage of Dikeledi, a storm forecast to skirt about 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of the territory, AFP reported.

It hit the northern coast of Madagascar as a cyclone on Saturday evening and weakened into a severe tropical storm, but is expected to regain intensity as it moves towards Mayotte.

It could be reclassified as a cyclone by Monday morning, according to French weather service Meteo-France.

At around 6:00 am local time (0300 GMT) the storm was around 260 kilometers southeast of Mayotte, moving at 22 kilometers per hour.

"In terms of impact, Antsiranana province in Madagascar has sustained the most intense conditions in recent hours," Meteo-France said, referring to the island's northern tip.

Authorities called for "extreme vigilance" on Mayotte following the devastation wrought by Cyclone Chido in mid-December.

"Very heavy rains could generate flash floods," Meteo-France said in its update, warning that "floods and landslides are expected in the coming hours".

Wind gusts could reach 90 km/h (55 mph) on the French territory, while "dangerous sea conditions" are also forecast.

Residents were advised to seek shelter and stock up on food and water.

"Nothing is being left to chance," Manuel Valls, France's overseas territories minister, told AFP.

Cyclone Chido, the most devastating storm to hit France's poorest department in 90 years, caused colossal damage last month, killing at least 39 people and injuring more than 5,600.

Francois-Xavier Bieuville, the top Paris-appointed official on the territory, said Mayotte was placed on a red weather alert from 1900 GMT on Saturday to allow the public to take shelter.

"I have decided to bring forward this red alert to 10:00 pm to allow everyone to take shelter, to confine themselves, to take care of the people close to you, your children, your families," Bieuville said on television.

During the alert all travel is banned except for rescue and other authorized personnel.