The United States and the United Kingdom on Sunday blamed Iran for Thursday’s drone strike on an oil tanker that killed two people.
In separate statements, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said they believed Iran was the fatal attack in the Arabian Sea. Israel first accused Tehran of launching the July 29 attack, but Iran denied any involvement.
“After reviewing the available information, we are convinced that Iran carried out this attack, which killed two innocent people, using one-way explosive drones, a fatal capability it is increasingly employing in the region,” Blinken said.
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Last week, two moves targeted the merchant tanker Mercer Street. The first attack caused damage to the ship, but the moment affected the cameras of the ship’s team. A Romanian citizen and a British citizen died as a result of the attack.
The shipment was owned by a company founded in Japan but controlled through the Israeli company Zodiac Maritime. Israeli officials said this was the explanation for why the shipment was intended.
“There is no justification for this attack, which follows a trend of attacks and other bellicose behavior,” Blinken said, while Raab added that “the UK condemns the illegal and ruthless attack on a trader sent off the coast of Oman. “
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid thanked the United States and the United Kingdom for their appreciation for the attack.
“Israel will continue to have conversations with our allies around the world and paints in combination to formulate measures opposed to ongoing Iranian terrorism,” Lapid said, according to the Times of Israel.
In reaction to the attacks, British and Israeli diplomats will attend a United Nations Security Council assembly, officials told Axios on Sunday.
“Iran will have to prevent such attacks and ships will have to be able to sail freely according to foreign law,” Raab said.
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The United States will consult with governments in the region to expand an appropriate response, Blinken said, noting that “it will be close. “