State actor behind oil tanker attacks off Emirati coast

State actor behind oil tanker attacks off Emirati coast

A “state actor” was most likely behind the attacks on four oil tankers off the Emirati coast which and bore the hallmarks of a “sophisticated and coordinated operation”

AgenciesUpdated: Friday, June 07, 2019, 07:25 PM IST
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United Nations: A “state actor” was most likely behind the attacks on four oil tankers off the Emirati coast which and bore the hallmarks of a “sophisticated and coordinated operation”, an international investigation has informed the UN Security Council.

Of the four commercial ships targeted in the May 12 attack, one was flying a UAE flag, two were tankers owned by Saudi Arabia, and the fourth was a Norwegian tanker. There were no casualties but Saudi Arabia has said two of its ships suffered “significant” damage.

The US has accused Iran of being behind the attacks on the oil tankers, which came amidst escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington. The US has sent warships and bombers to the region as part of its response.

“While investigations are still ongoing, these facts are strong indications the four attacks were part of a sophisticated and coordinated operation carried out by an actor with significant operational capacity, most likely a state actor,” said a statement from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Norway, which jointly probed the attack. Iran, the country suspected by both the US and Saudi Arabia of being behind the attacks, was not named as responsible by the probe.

The UAE ambassador, La­na Nusseibeh, told reporters she did not accuse Iran of responsibility in an informal Security Council meeting about the probe. Iran has denounced the attack and denied involvement.

Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the UN, Abdallah al-Mouallimi, was clear Riyadh believes “responsibility lies on the shoulders of Iran”. There was “enough evide­n­ce” to show Iranian responsibility, adding, “if we tolerate a symbolic attack like this...it opens the door for more.” US National Security Adviser John Bolton has said Iran was “almost certainly” behind the attacks. The US is conducting its own probe.

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