Yemen Monitor / Marib / Exclusive:
The specialized vessel-tracking website TankerTrackers reported that the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker struck by an unidentified projectile in the Gulf of Aden on Saturday was carrying an Iranian shipment — contradicting Iran’s official denial of any connection to the vessel.
According to the site, the targeted tanker, named Falcon (IMO 9014432), is an old vessel (31 years) flying the flag of Cameroon and owned by an Indian company. TankerTrackers indicated that the ship had been loaded with LPG at Iran’s Asaluyeh Port on September 25.
The website suggested that the tanker was likely en route to the Ras Isa terminal on Yemen’s coast to deliver the fuel shipment to the Houthi group, which is backed by Tehran — a sign of the continued flow of energy supplies to areas under Houthi control.
Meanwhile, Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency, citing informed sources, denied any link between the vessel and the Islamic Republic. Likewise, media outlets affiliated with the Houthi group were quick to deny any involvement in the incident on social media platforms Telegram and X, quoting unnamed sources within the group’s Defense Ministry — reflecting an effort by all parties to distance themselves from responsibility.
The incident resulted in the rescue of 26 crew members, while one person remains missing. The status of the tanker continues to raise questions, as it is not insured by any known company and is not currently listed in international sanctions databases or blacklists, complicating efforts to trace and analyze its operations.
