The vessel, identified as having been collecting intelligence on cargo vessels, was targeted as part of the government's response to a drone attack by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.
The drone attack, occurring late last month, resulted in the tragic death of three U.S. service members in Jordan, with dozens more wounded.
The cyber operation carried out a week ago, aimed to disrupt the ship's ability to share intelligence with Houthi militants in Yemen. The Iran-aligned Houthi group, controlling key areas in Yemen, has recently unleashed a series of exploding drones and missiles on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
They claim these actions are in response to Israel's military operations in Gaza and as a demonstration of solidarity with Palestinians.
These attacks have not only raised concerns about the safety of maritime trade routes but also led to a slowdown in shipping between Asia and Europe, prompting fears of potential supply bottlenecks.
In response to the Houthi attacks, the U.S. military has conducted strikes against the group. Despite acknowledging that these strikes may not completely halt Houthi attacks, President Joe Biden affirmed in January that they would continue.
As of now, the White House National Security Council has not provided immediate comments on the NBC News report.
The situation underscores the complex dynamics in the region and the ongoing efforts to maintain maritime security amidst geopolitical tensions.
