US and UK blame Iran for drone attack on oil tanker

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Foreign Secretary Anthony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Sunday that the United States and the United Kingdom, respectively, now believe Iran was most likely responsible for last week’s drone attack on an oil tanker in the Arabian Sea.

Why it matters: The US and Britain now join Israel in accusing Tehran of being behind the July 29 attack off the coast of Oman. Iran has denied any role.

Leading the news: the commercial tanker “Mercer Street” has been hit twice. The first attack caused no damage but the second strike hit the crew rooms.

Two people were killed, one Roman and one British. “In reviewing the available information, we are confident that Iran conducted this attack, which killed two innocent people, using unidirectional explosive drones, a lethal capability that it is increasingly using across the region.”

Between the lines: The ship was owned by a Japanese company but was operated by the Israeli Zodiac Maritime. Israeli officials claimed that this was the reason for targeting the tanker.

Israel and Iran have exchanged attacks at sea over the past 18 months. Israel attacked several Iranian ships that were transporting oil and weapons to Syria. In recent months, Iran has begun to respond by allegedly attacking ships owned by Israeli businessmen.

What they’re saying: An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, on Sunday morning, denied any Iran connection to the attack.

“There is no justification for this attack, which follows a pattern of attacks and aggressive behaviour,” Blinken said. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he believed “unequivocally” that “Iran attacked the ship.” According to Bloomberg, a statement of horror said the UK believed the attack was “deliberate, targeted and a clear violation of international law by Iran”. Rab said.

Next step: Israeli and British diplomats told Axios that the next step would be to try to convene a meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

“We are working with our partners to consider our next steps and consult with governments within the region and beyond on the appropriate response that will be imminent,” Blinken said.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new information.

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