US Defense Intelligence Agency Report Confirms Iranian Origin of Missile Attacking Norwegian Ship

The US Defense Intelligence Agency confirmed that the missile fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen at a Norwegian oil tanker in the Red Sea last December was manufactured by the Islamic Republic of Iran, although Iranian officials denied this claim once again. On Friday, July 22, the Associated Press reported that the US Defense Intelligence Agency's findings regarding the use of Iranian missiles by Yemeni Houthi rebels in the attack on the Strinda ship align with the findings of the group of companies that insured the tanker. The US Defense Intelligence Agency published its report on Wednesday, July 20, stating that the impact of the Iranian-made anti-ship cruise missile 'Noor' on the Strinda caused a fire on the vessel. The Strinda was targeted on December 20, 1402 (December 20, 2023) while traveling from Malaysia to Italy through the Suez Canal in the Red Sea, resulting in a significant fire on the ship, which was eventually extinguished without crew injuries, thanks to the assistance of the US ship Mason that responded to the Strinda's distress. The Associated Press quoted the US Defense Intelligence Agency stating that the US military compared the missile engine parts recovered from the tanker with the anti-ship ballistic cruise missile of the 'Noor' type. The missile that struck the ship matched the Iranian 'Talash 4' turbojet engine, which Iran has publicly acknowledged using in the 'Noor' missile for years. The Islamic Republic of Iran showcased the 'Talash 4' engine in the 'Noor' anti-ship cruise missile seven years ago at the International Aerospace Exhibition in Russia. The DIA report indicates that the missile engine parts that hit the Strinda tanker resemble images of the engine displayed at the Russian exhibition. The Iranian government developed the 'Noor' missile through reverse engineering from the Chinese anti-ship missile type C-802. The initial range of the Iranian missile was 170 kilometers, while the upgraded model, named 'Qader', can target up to 300 kilometers. Previously, a group of companies in Norway that insured the Strinda tanker also stated that the oil-carrying ship was likely damaged by the Iranian 'Noor' cruise missile or the Chinese C-802. The Yemeni army, prior to the civil war, did not possess missiles of the C-802 type. The US military has also examined and analyzed the wreckage of the Strinda ship. Ansar Allah, the military branch of the Houthis in Yemen, began attacking ships in the Red Sea a few weeks after the war in Gaza started. Initially, Ansar Allah claimed to target ships owned by or linked to Israel, but multiple governments around the world reported that their vessels were also targeted. In missile and drone attacks on at least 70 ships, four crew members have been killed, and two ships have sunk. The Houthis have also seized a commercial ship for months. Maritime trade in the Red Sea, which has an annual value of one trillion dollars, has been disrupted due to Houthi attacks. In response to the Associated Press report regarding the Houthis' use of the Iranian 'Noor' missile in the attack on the Strinda tanker, the Iranian delegation to the United Nations stated that Tehran 'has not provided any weapons to Ansar Allah.' This delegation added in its response on Thursday that Tehran 'is aware that the Houthis have gained significant military capabilities relying on their domestic capabilities.' According to the Iranian delegation in New York, 'the prolonged war against Ansar Allah is the main reason for the development of their military capabilities.' CENTCOM, the US Central Command, reported this week the destruction of five boats used for Houthi drone attacks, two other drones from that group in the Red Sea, and the destruction of another Houthi drone in their territory in Yemen. The Houthis claimed on Thursday that the US attacked their targets in the port of Hodeidah in Yemen. Yahya Saree, the spokesman for the military branch of the Houthis, announced this week the start of cooperation with Iraqi Shiite militias against Israel, claiming to have launched missiles and drones towards the Israeli port of Eilat.