Israel Points to Iran Behind Tanker Attack, Condemns It as "Terror Exporting Country"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Tensions in the Middle East have escalated as the Israeli government pointed to Iran as the party behind the tanker attack near Oman.

Yair Lapid, Israel's Foreign Minister, stated on the night of the 30th (local time) that he had been in contact with Dominic Raab, the UK Foreign Secretary, regarding the tanker attack, emphasizing a strong response to the incident, according to the Times of Israel.

Minister Lapid condemned, "Iran is not just Israel's problem," adding, "Iran is a country that exports terrorism, destruction, and instability that harms us all."

He further stressed, "The world must not remain silent in the face of Iran's terrorism."

Sources from US and European intelligence agencies also view Iran as the country involved in this incident and are reportedly seeking decisive evidence to support this.

The UK Ministry of Defence stated, "We are aware of reports of an attack on a merchant vessel near the Gulf of Oman" and confirmed that the incident is under investigation.

Earlier, the tanker Mercer Street was attacked on the 29th near the waters off Oman, presumably by a drone (unmanned aerial vehicle), resulting in the deaths of two crew members, one British and one Romanian.

The Mercer Street is a vessel owned by a Japanese company and operated by Zodiac Maritime, an international shipping company owned by Israeli tycoon Eyal Ofer.

With Israel mentioning a strong response targeting its Middle Eastern rival Iran, there is speculation that retaliation may occur soon.

The Guardian predicted that with fatalities resulting from the tanker attack, a much stronger response than in the past could be expected within days.

Israel regards Iran, the leader of the Islamic Shia faction, as its greatest security threat and has long been concerned about Iran's missile and nuclear development.

Israel and Iran have repeatedly accused each other of being behind various incidents in the Middle East.

The Iranian government blamed Israel for the sabotage attack on the Atomic Energy Organization building in Karaj near the capital Tehran last month.

Earlier this month, a container ship once owned by Zodiac Maritime caught fire after being attacked in the northern Indian Ocean, with Israeli officials suspecting Iran as the party behind the attack.