Iran’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Mohsen Bahardvand, has been summoned by the British Foreign Office, a spokesperson for the ministry said in a statement on Monday (August 2nd). This summons follows the deadly attack, which took place four days ago, on Mercer-Street, an oil tanker in the Arabian Sea.
Sunday, London had judged “Very likely that Tehran attacked” vessel. This aggression “Deliberate, targeted” and “Illegal” constitutes “A clear violation of international law by Iran”, said in a statement the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dominic Raab, who said “Work with its international partners on a concerted response to this unacceptable attack”.
An attack that killed two people
The drone attack, which has not been claimed, left two dead: a Briton employed by the security company Ambrey, and a crew member, Romanian, according to the shipowner Zodiac Maritime, a company of the Israeli. Eyal Ofer to which belongs the Mercer-Street. Israel immediately pointed the finger at Iran, its foreign minister, Yair Lapid, on Friday accusing the Islamic Republic of being “An exporter of terrorism, destruction and instability that hurts everyone”. The United States, too, has accused Iran, with Washington threatening to “Appropriate replica”.
Iran on Monday warned it would respond to anything “Adventurism” if he was targeted for this murderous attack which he denies having instigated. “The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to protect its security and national interests”Iranian foreign affairs spokesman Said Khatibzadeh said in a statement.
Rivalry between Israel and Iran
For years, Israel and Iran have clashed directly or indirectly in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and the Palestinian Gaza Strip. But, in recent months, this rivalry has been transposed at sea with the emergence of a mysterious series of sabotages and attacks.
Thursday’s attack is the latest manifestation of the feud between Iran and Israel.
In March, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing U.S. and Middle Eastern officials, thatIsrael had targeted, since the end of 2019, mainly with underwater mines, at least a dozen ships en route to Syria and carrying, in most cases, Iranian oil.
“If they have evidence to support their baseless claims, they should provide it”, Khatibzadeh said on Monday, criticizing London and Washington for keeping the “Silence” about“Terrorist attacks” targeting “Commercial vessels” Iranians.