The Week In News
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Iran Behind Explosion on Israeli Ship?
Defense Minister Benny Gantz accused Iran of orchestrating the explosion that crippled an Israeli ship off the coast of Oman. No one was heard in the blast on Friday on the Israeli-owned MV HELIOS RAY as it anchored off of the Gulf of Oman. The freighter has since reported to Dubai for repairs, while Israeli intelligence agencies investigate the incident. In an interview hours after the incident, Gantz said that the close proximity to Iran coupled with the high degree of tactical proficiency exhibited pointed to Iran as the culprit. He stressed, however, that the probe was still ongoing. “We need to continue investigating,” Gantz told Channel 11. “The Iranians are looking to harm Israelis and Israeli infrastructure. The proximity to Iran brings the assessment that there is a likelihood that this is an Iranian initiative.” A slew of vessels has suffered mysterious accidents in recent years in attacks attributed to Iran. The ship is owned by Israeli magnate Rami Unger and was carrying a fleet of cars from Saudi Arabia to Singapore when it was rocked by a massive explosion. According to a report the Dryad Global maritime intelligence firm released on Saturday, the attack was likely perpetuated by Iran in an effort to hurt Israeli interests while maintaining plausible deniability. “Whilst details regarding the incident remain unclear, it remains a realistic possibility that the event
was the result of asymmetric activity by Iranian military,” wrote Drydad Global. “Such activity would be commensurate with current tensions and Iranian intent to exercise forceful diplomacy through military means within its immediate area of interest,” continued the report. “Tensions between Israel and Iran remain fraught, especially in light of increased signs of rapprochement between Iran and the Biden administration. “Increasingly, Iran is also becoming fearful of improving relations between Israel and the Gulf states. Recent reports of behind-the-scenes cooperation between Saudi and Israel to counter Iranian activity are likely to influence any potential Iranian activity.”
A New Helicopter for the IDF
The Defense Ministry announced that it has chosen the Sikorsky CH53K to be its new heavy-lift helicopter. The CH-53K will replace the aging CH-53 Sea Stallion, which has been in service for over 50 years. The CH53K beat out the Boeing-made CH-47 and V-22 Osprey, which takes off like a helicopter but flies like an airplane, a capability that would have granted Special Forces more flexibility. “The decision to purchase new Sa’ar transport helicopters for the Air Force, after decades, is a significant step in building the IDF’s power and essential for performing a wide range of operational tasks as routine and in combat,” said Defense Minister Benny Gantz. “It is also essential to the IDF’s ability to carry out a wide range of operational activities,” Gantz added. “The new helicopter is adapted to the [IAF’s] operational requirements and to the challenges of the changing battlefield.” The Israeli Air Force had recommended purchasing the CH-53K over the other two aforementioned models
