An Iranian military support ship linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was attacked in the Red Sea, the country's Foreign Ministry confirmed on Wednesday.
While the Saviz is officially listed as a commercial vessel, it has been referred to as a "mother ship" of the IRGC's navy.
It was described in a report by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy think tank as a spy ship disguised as a cargo ship.
"The Saviz was slightly damaged in an explosion in the Red Sea off the coast of Djibouti on Tuesday, April 6, at around 6am local time," Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry, said on Wednesday.
Mr Khatibzadeh said investigations were under way into how the incident happened and its origin.
Iran, he said, had informed the International Maritime Organisation to begin investigations.
On Tuesday evening, the IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency said limpet mines were used in the attack.
"The vessel Iran Saviz has been stationed in the Red Sea for the past few years to support Iranian commandos sent on commercial vessel (anti-piracy) escort missions," it reported.
US Central Command, which maintains forces in the area, was not involved in the incident but was aware of reports of the attack, said spokeswoman Erin Dorrance.
The New York Times reported a claim from a US official that Israel had notified the US that its forces struck the vessel about 7.30am local time.
The report said the attack was retaliation for previous strikes and that the Saviz was damaged below the waterline.
Munro Anderson, a partner for security company Dryad Global, said the incident could be a response to the attack on Israeli vessel MV Lori in the Arabian Sea on March 25.
Israel also blamed Iran for sabotaging a commercial vessel, the Helios Ray, which was damaged by limpet mines on February 28.
Last month, Iran accused Israel of a sabotage campaign against its vessels, including oil tankers.
IRGC commandos are accused of operations against oil cargoes at sea and anchored in port, after the administration of former US president Donald Trump imposed tough sanctions in 2018 and Washington withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal.
Despite the chance of easing tensions between Washington and Tehran under the administration of President Joe Biden, the apparent sabotage campaign continued.
On Tuesday, European mediators began constructive indirect talks between the US and Iran in Vienna on reviving the nuclear deal.
Neither the US nor Iran are expecting swift breakthroughs. Tehran demands Washington drop sanctions before it returns to compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal and Mr Biden's administration demands that Iran reduce enrichment to agreed levels before it will consider dropping Mr Trump's sanctions.
What is the 'Saviz'?
According to analysis by the US Naval Institute, the Saviz is intended to look like an ordinary commercial vessel.
But analysts said the ship carries speedboats similar to those used by the IRGC's naval arm, the institute said.
The ship is reportedly anchored for long periods near southern Yemen in the Bab Al Mandeb, one of the world's busiest shipping routes.
"Automated information system transmissions and analysis of commercial satellite images show the ship has barely moved in the past three years," the institute said.
"From its position, the ship can provide constant surveillance of maritime traffic."
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Federer's 11 Wimbledon finals
2003 Beat Mark Philippoussis
2004 Beat Andy Roddick
2005 Beat Andy Roddick
2006 Beat Rafael Nadal
2007 Beat Rafael Nadal
2008 Lost to Rafael Nadal
2009 Beat Andy Roddick
2012 Beat Andy Murray
2014 Lost to Novak Djokovic
2015 Lost to Novak Djokovic
2017 Beat Marin Cilic
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MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
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Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
The nine articles of the 50-Year Charter
1. Dubai silk road
2. A geo-economic map for Dubai
3. First virtual commercial city
4. A central education file for every citizen
5. A doctor to every citizen
6. Free economic and creative zones in universities
7. Self-sufficiency in Dubai homes
8. Co-operative companies in various sectors
9: Annual growth in philanthropy
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh359,000
On sale: now
Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded
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1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scores:
Kashima Antlers 0
River Plate 4
Zuculini 24', Martinez 73', 90 2', Borre 89' (pen)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EHayao%20Miyazaki%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Soma%20Santoki%2C%20Masaki%20Suda%2C%20Ko%20Shibasaki%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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THE BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Whenever I have any free time I always go back to see my family in Caltra, Galway, it’s the only place I can properly relax.
Favourite film: The Way, starring Martin Sheen. It’s about the Camino de Santiago walk from France to Spain.
Personal motto: If something’s meant for you it won’t pass you by.
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Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Dhadak 2
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