Iran rejects Israeli claim it was behind tanker attack off Oman

IRAN

The Iranian government has rejected a claim by Israel that it was behind an attack on a ship off Oman earlier this week that killed two crew members.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh condemned the allegations during a virtual news conference on Sunday, saying this was not the first time Israel has made such claims.

“Wherever this regime has gone, it has brought with itself insecurity, terror and violence. Those responsible [for this attack] are the ones that allowed the Israeli regime to set foot in this region,” he said.

“Whoever sows wind will reap a storm,” Khatibzadeh said, adding that Iran will defend its national security wherever necessary.

Liberian-flagged oil tanker Mercer Street, managed by a company belonging to Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer, was struck late on Thursday northeast of the Omani island of Masirah, in an apparent drone attack that killed a Romanian and a UK national.

Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Naftali Bennet, have alleged Iran was behind the hit but have yet to provide evidence.

“I just heard that Iran, in a cowardly manner, is trying to shirk responsibility for the event. They are denying this. I determine, with absolute certainty: Iran carried out the attack against the ship,” Bennett said at the cabinet meeting on Sunday, as quoted by the PM of Israel Twitter account.

“The intelligence

evidence for this exists and we expect the international community will make it clear to the Iranian regime that they have made a serious mistake. In any case, we know how to send a message to Iran in our own way.”

In a statement published on Sunday, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said it was “highly likely” Iran attacked the tanker in international waters with one or more drones.

“We believe this attack was deliberate, targeted and a clear violation of international law by Iran,” he said. “Iran must stop such attacks, and vessels must be allowed to navigate freely in accordance with international law.”

After the attack, US Navy vessels escorted Mercer Street as it headed to a safe port. Al-jazeera