A video released by the US government allegedly shows Iran’s revolutionary guard removing an unexploded sea mine from an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman as proof that Iran was behind Thursdays oil tanker attack. The footage released was taken by a US Navy vessel which was passing through the area.
Ever since the US backed out of Iran’s nuclear deal in 2018, both the countries have been at each other’s throats.
Iran and the US after Oil Tanker Fiasco
The video released by the US government was filmed in the Strait of Hormuz a strategic and vital oil transport route through which a fifth of the world’s oil exports pass.
The strait links the Middle Eastern crude oil producers to market in Asia and the rest of the world. On Thursday an unsuspected attack on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman forced the crew to abandon ship. Based on intelligence reports experts suspect this may be Iran’s handy work.
Furthermore, Iran’s repeated claim that it will shut down strait completely if sanctions on its oil exports are not lifted further cement the US claims. Additional photographic evidence released by the US shows an unexploded mine attached to the side of a Japanese oil tanker which was later on removed by the IRGC. Reports of a Norwegian oil tanker also taking damage in Thursday’s attack have come forth.
The International Community’s Response to the Oil Tanker Attack
The US sectary of state Mike Pompeo in a press briefing said
“The United States assesses that the Islamic Republic of Iran is responsible for the attacks.”
“This assessment is based on actual intelligence, the weapons used, the level of expertise needed to execute the operation, recent similar Iranian attacks on shipping, and the fact that no proxy group operating in the area has the resources and proficiency to act with such a high degree of sophistication.”
The UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt stated that his country backed the US claims fully and stood by its unquestionably.
China’s foreign ministry said in a statement that all sides should exercise restraint to prevent further tensions. The UAE, in a statement, described the attacks as a “dangerous act of escalation.”
Iran Denies Involvement in Oil Tanker Attack
The Iranian foreign minister in response to the US allegations categorically refuted all claims and denied any involvement in the attack.
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