Iran confirms ship blast in Red Sea involving 'logistics vessel'

Tehran — Iran's foreign ministry confirmed April 7 that an explosion caused damage on an Iranian ship in the Red Sea and said the blast was under investigation, state television reported.

"The commercial Saviz Ship has been slightly damaged on Tuesday April 6, at around 6am in the morning local time, in the Red Sea and in the vicinity of Djibouti shores," Saeed Khatibizadeh, the ministry's spokesman, said in a statement.

"Fortunately, no fatality has occurred. Technical investigation on the cause and origin of this incident are being carried out. And our country will pursue the case through international institutions," he said.

The explosion -- a second recent on an Iranian vessel -- is one in a spate of maritime incidents involving ships in Middle East waters. It comes amid a new round of talks in Vienna to revive the nuclear deal abandoned by the US.

"The non-military, logistics vessel" had been deployed to provide "security and confront piracy practically as a logistical station for technical support," Khatibzadeh said.