The Indian navy was investigating the nature of the attack on the vessel, MV Chem Pluto, which docked in Mumbai on Monday, and initial reports pointed to a drone attack, the statement said.

“Further forensic and technical analysis will be required to establish the vector of attack, including type and amount of explosive used,” the statement added.

A spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry on Monday called a US claim that Iran had attacked the ship near India “baseless”.

The Pentagon said on Saturday that a drone launched from Iran struck the MV Chem Pluto in the Indian Ocean. The strike came as a US-led task force is trying to counter similar challenges in the Red Sea.

“Considering the recent spate of attacks in the Arabian Sea, Indian navy has deployed guided-missile destroyers  INS Mormugao, INS Kochi and INS Kolkata …in various areas to maintain a deterring presence,” the navy statement said.

The navy said a joint investigation into the attack was being carried out by various agencies after its explosive ordnance team completed its analysis.

The vessel’s crew included 21 Indians and one Vietnamese citizen.