Netanyahu accuses Iran of launching an attack on ship

The remarks came hours after Syrian air defences intercepted what they said were Israeli missiles over Damascus.

MV Helios Ray docked in Dubai's Port Rashid on Sunday. Picture: AFP

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran on Monday of an attack on an Israeli-owned ship, noting Israel was “striking back” the day after a raid on Syria.

“It is indeed an Iranian act, that’s clear,” he told public broadcaster Kan, referring to the MV Helios Ray, which was last week hit by a blast in the Gulf of Oman leaving two holes in its side. “Iran is Israel’s greatest enemy. I’m determined to block it, we’re striking at it throughout the region.”

Mr Netanyahu’s remarks came hours after Syrian air defences intercepted what they said were Israeli missiles over Damascus.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said the strike hit the area of Sayyida Zeinab south of Damascus, where Iranian Revolutionary Guards and Lebanese Hezbollah forces are reported to be present.

The Israeli army had refused to confirm its involvement in the attack, which came days after the Thursday explosion that hit the Israeli-owned MV Helios Ray, a vehicle carrier travelling from the Saudi port of Dammam to Singapore.

It was not clear what caused the explosion, which punctured the boat’s hull but did not cause any casualties among the crew or damage to the engine.

AFP