Iran confirms cargoship hit with blast in Red Sea

Iran's foreign ministry has confirmed a blast struck one of its general cargoships.

The 23,175-dwt Saviz (built 1999) was hit with a blast in the southern end of the Red Sea, with the ship suffering minor damage and no personnel aboard hurt, according to a report from Reuters.

"The vessel was a civilian ship stationed there to secure the region against pirates,” Iran foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told the newswire.