Dubai: An Iranian aid ship heading to Yemen is likely to divert to Djibouti for international inspections, Iran’s Tasnim and Fars news agencies reported on Wednesday without citing any sources.
Fars said the Iran Shahed would dock in Dijbouti for inspections by the United Nations. Tasnim said the ship would “probably” dock at the port of Djibouti for inspections by the Red Cross.
The ship’s captain said on state television that the ship would go to Djibouti, after earlier being quoted by state news agency IRNA as saying the ship was heading for the Bab Al Mandeb that links the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea.
State television showed footage from the deck of the Iran Shahed of what it said was the Alborz destroyer escorting the cargo vessel.
The approaching vessel threatens to broaden a regional confrontation over Yemen -- where Saudi Arabia and its allies have launched almost two months of attacks on Al Houthi militiamen it says are armed by Iran.
Reuters ship tracking data showed the Iran Shahed positioned south of Aden at 1015 GMT on Wednesday. Lebanon-based Al Mayadeen television said the ship would arrive on Thursday though and activist on board told journalists it would dock on Friday.
By crossing the strait, the Iran Shahed will sail past Djibouti where the United Nations is co-ordinating aid for Yemen. US officials have called on Iran to divert the ship to Djibouti to allow the ship’s cargo to be inspected.
Iran has said the ship is carrying 2,500 tonnes of food and medical supplies to Yemen’s Hodaida port to help people caught up in the conflict.
