US indictment against Iran over attack on Israeli tanker sounds alarm bells in Middle East

“After examining the available information, we are convinced that Iran carried out this attack,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

The “Mercer Street” tanker was attacked with a drone Thursday in the northern Indian Ocean, in an operation that left two crew members dead.

“We are working with our partners to consider our next steps and are consulting with governments in the region and outside on a appropriate responseBlinken added.

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Britain also said on Sunday that it believed Iran had deliberately carried out the attack in “flagrant violation of international law.”

Earlier on Sunday, Iran denied any involvement in the action. Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said Israel “must end such baseless accusations.”

“Iran will not hesitate for a moment to defend its (…) interests and its national security”, he declared during a press conference.

The British group Dryad Global, specializing in maritime security, described the attack on the tanker as “retaliation in the shadow war” between Iran and Israel.

The Arabian Sea is located between Iran and Oman and there is the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the world’s oil passes and where a US-led coalition is present.