Moment US helicopters blow up Iranian spy boat in huge blaze after sea mine sinks container ship carrying iPhones

5 comments 5 Next THIS is the moment US helicopters strike an Iranian spy boat with missiles sparking a huge onboard fireball. The strike came before a cargo ship carrying 2,500 containers hit an Iranian sea mine – the first vessel to be sunk by one since the war broke out. 8 American forces blitzed an Iranian dhow last week Credit: X 8 A huge cargo ship sank after being hit by a marine drone Credit: X Advertisement In the clip of Washington’s latest boat strike near the Strait of Hormuz, two US choppers can be seen in the skies launching a barrage of missiles at the dhow. Moments later, the spy boat erupts into a massive blaze as the projectile hits. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. Plumes of thick black smoke were seen roaring over the ship following the blitz. US Central Command (Centcom) said the boat was “conducting surveillance and targeting U.S. Navy ships in the Gulf of Oman”. READ MORE WORLD NEWS WHEELS UP RAF to give air support to Saudi Arabia as it fights Iran-backed Houthi rebels HOUTHI STRIKE Saudi Arabia under attack as Iran-backed proxies injure 73 in missile blitz 8 US forces struck an Iranian spy boat with missiles Credit: X 8 The Iranian dhow was blown to bits during the attack Credit: X 8 Luxury goods were strewn across the sea after the cargo blast Credit: X 8 Plumes of smoke billowing after the dhow blast Credit: X Advertisement They said: “Over the past seven months, Iran ‘s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has continued to indiscriminately target thousands of civilian mariners transiting regional waters in addition to U.S. Navy warships. “Crew members were safely removed prior to destruction of the dhow. Repatriation efforts are ongoing.” The strike took place on October 6 – just days before a UAE-owned cargo ship carrying luxury perfumes and iPhones was blasted by a sea mine. Iranian authorities confirmed the hulking vessel exploded and sank on Wednesday morning in the Omani corridor of the Strait of Hormuz. Most read in The Sun RABBLE INFERNO Buildings burn & huge blazes in middle of street as rioters clash with cops DIED AN ALCOHOLIC Scots hood Paul Ferris died when organs failed after alcohol abuse battle ARE YOU KID-DING ME Child breaks into pub stealing £20-worth of scrap and flooding cellar HORROR HOUSE Parents arrested after 9 siblings 'placed in cages' found in 'appalling' home It is the first time Iran reported a ship sinking after hitting a mine during the war. Advertisement Shocking footage showed an array of goods laid out on the surface of the water following the blast. Several smaller boats reportedly rushed to the site before selling the luxury items on the spot. Meanwhile, shipping officials said two Singapore-registered cargo vessels were hit by “unknown projectiles” as they went through the strait on Tuesday and Wednesday. 8 The moment before the Iranian vessel was hit Credit: X 8 Smaller boats reportedly rushed to gather luxury goods Credit: X Advertisement One sank, while the other reached safety. No injuries were reported. It comes amid a spiralling conflict between the Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia . Escalating missile and drone attacks by the Iran-backed terror group have left the gulf kingdom reeling and oil prices surging across the world. At least 20 people, including a US national, were killed in four Houthi attacks on Riyadh’s main airport last week. Advertisement The deadliest came on Saturday when the militia unleashed a barrage of missiles at King Khalid International Airport , killing 13 and injuring 300. Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman , 41, has fled into hiding as parts of the Saudi capital have been transformed into a conflict zone. With attacks targeting multiple fronts, Saudi Arabia has been pleading for offensive and defensive support from the US, Europe and the Middle East. A former Nato commander told The Sun Britain should put boots on the ground in the Middle East to defeat the bloodthirsty Houthi rebels before global trade collapses. RECOMMENDED STORIES Over the weekend Trump said he “may” join Saudi Arabia in strikes on the pro-Tehran militia . Advertisement In response, the Houthis threatened “swift and painful” retaliation against the US and its regional interests. 5 comments 5