Iran warship hit by own missile, 19 die

Dubai, May 11

One Iranian warship accidentally struck another with a missile during an exercise, killing 19 sailors and wounding 15 others, Iran’s navy said on Monday.

The incident took place during training in the Gulf of Oman, a sensitive waterway that connects to the Strait of Hormuz. The frigate Jamaran fired at a training target released by a support ship, the Konarak. However, the support ship stayed too close to the target and was hit, state broadcaster IRIB said. “The incident took place in the perimeter of Iran’s southern Bandar-e Jask port during Iranian Navy drills on Sunday afternoon, in which 19 sailors were killed,” the state TV said quoting Navy. — AP