On Monday, Iran warned that it would respond to any "adventure" against it, following Israeli, American, and British threats to retaliate for an attack on an oil tanker that Tehran has been accused of orchestrating, which resulted in two fatalities. The Iranian authorities denied any connection to the attack that occurred on Thursday against the oil tanker "MV Mercer Street," operated by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer, which led to the death of two crew members. Washington stated that the attack was carried out using "drone bombs."
This heightened tension comes just before the new hardline conservative Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi officially assumes his four-year term, following the approval of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of his election on Tuesday. No party has claimed responsibility for the attack on the oil tanker, which claimed the life of a British employee of the security company "Ambrey" and a Romanian crew member, according to the ship's operator, Zodiac Maritime.
Israel, the United States, Britain, and Romania have pointed fingers at Iran, with Israel threatening retaliatory measures and Washington promising a "suitable response." Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh warned in a statement that "the Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to defend its security and national interests," confirming they would respond immediately and decisively to any potential adventure.
Iran has not had diplomatic relations with the U.S. since 1980 and does not recognize the existence of the Israeli state. In the wake of the attack, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid accused Iran of being a "manufacturer of terrorism, destruction, and instability that harms everyone," calling for action from the United Nations against Iran. Tehran, on its part, has denied involvement in the attack in any form, with Khatibzadeh stating, "The Zionist regime should stop such baseless accusations."
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett emphasized Iran's responsibility, affirming that his country possesses "evidence to support this." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States "is confident that Iran carried out the attack," adding that the U.S. is "coordinating with countries in the region and beyond to arrive at a timely and appropriate response." Britain echoed this sentiment; Prime Minister Boris Johnson remarked that Iran must "face the consequences of its actions," declaring, "It is clear that this is a disgraceful and unacceptable attack on a commercial ship."
Earlier on Monday, the British Foreign Office summoned Iranian Ambassador Mohsen Baharvand to clarify the "unlawful attack." Similarly, Romanian authorities summoned the Iranian ambassador in Bucharest. In Tehran, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that the Foreign Ministry summoned the British charge d'affaires "to protest against the statements" made by the British Foreign Minister, expressing that "these hasty, contradictory statements, which lack any basis, are wholly rejected and condemned... The source of instability in the Persian Gulf is not Iran but the presence of foreign ships and forces from outside the region."
For years, Israel and Iran have confronted each other directly or indirectly in Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip. However, in recent months, their confrontation has shifted to the sea with a series of sabotage and attack operations. The Thursday attack is the latest example of the ongoing animosity between Iran and Israel. The Wall Street Journal reported in March that Israel had targeted at least ten ships bound for Syria, mostly carrying Iranian oil, using naval mines since late 2019. Khatibzadeh stated on Monday that "if they have evidence supporting their baseless claims, they should provide it," criticizing London and Washington for remaining silent regarding "terrorist attacks" targeting "Iranian commercial vessels."
