Multiple media outlets reported on Saturday that a cargo vessel had come under attack by a suspected Iranian drone in the Indian Ocean.

Outlets including the Associated Press quoted a US defense department official as saying that a Malta-flagged container ship was attacked on Friday by what appeared to be a Shahed drone.

The official said the assault damaged the ship, but didn't injure any of its crew.

The Associated Press reported that the vessel is owned by a Singapore-based shipping firm that is controlled by an Israeli billionaire. The US official reportedly said Washington continues to closely monitor the situation.

On November 19, a cargo ship operated by a Japanese firm was seized in the Red Sea by the Houthi rebel group in Yemen.

The Iran-backed group had threatened to continue targeting Israeli-linked vessels.