Does Image From CENTCOM Video Show Iranian Boat?

Does Image From CENTCOM Video Show Iranian Boat?

The U.S. Central Command released a video allegedly showing an Iranian boat at the side of one of the tankers that was struck in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday, VOA news reports.

What are the key indicators that this is really an Iranian boat?

The type of boat shown in the video has similar features to a boat that ­­­was displayed in a ceremony on March 2016 where Rear Adm. Ali Fadavi, the commander of IRGC Navy, was present.​ The Press TV article from 2016 covers Iran’s ambition to build a “fast battle ships cruising at 80 knots p/h.”

Screengrab from video showing Iranian speed boats during a March 2016 ceremony.
Screengrab from video showing Iranian speed boats during a March 2016 ceremony.

​​Several shapes and features of the boat displayed at this ceremony are similar to the features on the boat in the CENTCOM video.

Screengrab from CENTCOM video suggesting Iranian involvement in a tanker attack, June 13, 2019.
Screengrab from CENTCOM video suggesting Iranian involvement in a tanker attack, June 13, 2019.

The bow has a distinct chevron pattern on the bow in a 2016 photo. In the CENTCOM video a similar pattern can be seen on the boat.

Screengrab from CENTCOM video suggesting Iranian involvement in a tanker attack, June 13, 2019.
Screengrab from CENTCOM video suggesting Iranian involvement in a tanker attack, June 13, 2019.

​​The cage around the bridge of the boat has the same shape in both the Press TV and CENTCOM video
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Screengrab from CENTCOM video suggesting Iranian involvement in a tanker attack, June 13, 2019.
Screengrab from CENTCOM video suggesting Iranian involvement in a tanker attack, June 13, 2019.

​​Both boats show a similar shape in the front part of the hull under the spray rail.

Screengrab from video showing Iranian speed boats during a March 2016 ceremony.
Screengrab from video showing Iranian speed boats during a March 2016 ceremony.

​​​​The boat shown in the Press TV article has two Soviet made ZU 23 anti-aircraft twin-barreled cannons, with one mounted on the stern and one on the bow.  The boat in the CENTCOM video only has the gun mounted on bow.

Screengrab from CENTCOM video suggesting Iranian involvement in a tanker attack, June 13, 2019.
Screengrab from CENTCOM video suggesting Iranian involvement in a tanker attack, June 13, 2019.

​​According to CENTCOM the video shows the crew of the boat ” removing the unexploded limpet mine from the M/T Kokuka Courageous.​”

Iran has denied any responsibility for the attack.