ABC News reported that Somali pirates have seized an Iranian fishing vessel, a development the outlet said has raised fears of attacks on cargo ships. The original report is available from ABC News.

According to ABC News, the pirates could use the boat as a "mother ship" for attacks on commercial vessels, a possibility the report's summary describes without saying that any such attack has taken place.

ABC News did not say, in the material available for this account, when the seizure took place, where the vessel was taken, or who was aboard it. Neither the headline nor the summary identifies any commercial ship that has been attacked.

ABC News framed its report around the risk to commercial shipping. The headline and summary contain no statements from any government, vessel owner or other official. The full text of the report was not available for this account, so no further details, quotations or independent confirmation of the seizure are included here.

The summary's description of the boat as a possible mother ship is the only specific account of how the seized vessel might be used, according to ABC News. The headline and summary both describe the seizure in general terms and do not refer to any earlier or separate incidents.

ABC News is the only source used for this account, and the facts above are limited to what its headline and summary state. Where the available material leaves questions open, this account says so rather than filling the gaps. Any developments after the report was published are not reflected here.

Sources: ABC News: Somali pirates seize Iranian fishing vessel, raising fears of attacks on cargo ships.