US probe blames Iran for oil tanker attack
An investigation into a drone attack on an oil tanker off Oman has concluded that the unmanned aircraft involved was produced in Iran.
The US military Central Command announced its findings after carrying out a forensic investigation into last month’s attack on the MT Mercer Street, which killed two people.
A British security guard, Adrian Underwood, and the ship’s Romanian captain were killed in the attack.
US investigators have concluded the ship was targeted by three drones.
The first two, launched at the ship on the evening of Thursday, July 29, missed their target. But the third drone, launched early on Friday, July 30, and loaded with a militarygrade explosive, hit the pilot house and exploded, killing the two men and leaving a two-metre-wide hole.
Investigators say tests had identified the residue as RDX, a nitrate-based explosive, indicating the drone was rigged to cause injury and destruction.
The investigators also recovered part of the drone’s wing and, after further testing, they concluded the drone was produced in Iran.
A joint statement issued by all the G7 nations on Friday said: “This was a deliberate and targeted attack, and a clear violation of international law. All available evidence clearly points to Iran. There is no justification for this attack.”