Washington and London on Sunday for the first time openly blamed Iran for Thursday’s drone attack on an oil tanker with tenuous ties to Israel that left two dead, one of them a Briton.
The countries’ top diplomats said they were considering a response to the assault.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the country is “confident” Iran was behind the drone attack near Oman, a day after he spoke with Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid to discuss a potential international response to the incident.
“Upon review of the available information, we are confident that Iran conducted this attack, which killed two innocent people, using one-way explosive UAVs, a lethal capability it is increasingly employing throughout the region,” Blinken said in a statement.
“There is no justification for this attack, which follows a pattern of attacks and other belligerent behavior. These actions threaten freedom of navigation through this crucial waterway, international shipping and commerce, and the lives of those on the vessels involved,” Blinken said.
“We are working with our partners to consider our next steps and consulting with governments inside the region and beyond on an appropriate response, which will be forthcoming. We once again offer our condolences to the families of the victims,” the secretary added.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said it was “highly likely” that Iran was behind the attack.
“We believe this attack was deliberate, targeted, and a clear violation of international law by Iran. UK assessments have concluded that it is highly likely that Iran attacked the MV Mercer Street in international waters off Oman on 29 July using one or more Unmanned Aerial Vehicles,” Raab said in a statement.
“The UK condemns the unlawful and callous attack committed on a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman, which killed a British and a Romanian national. Our thoughts are with the friends and family of those killed in the incident,” the secretary said.
“Iran must end such attacks, and vessels must be allowed to navigate freely in accordance with international law. The UK is working with our international partners on a concerted response to this unacceptable attack,” he added.
Meanwhile, Israel Defense Forces chief Aviv Kohavi spoke with his British counterpart Sir Nick Carter on Sunday.
“The two discussed recent events in…
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