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US Secretary of State blinking
Photo: JONATHAN ERNST / AFP
The alleged drone attack on an oil tanker in the Indian Ocean has reignited the conflict between archenemies Israel and Iran.
The government in Tehran on Sunday denied Israel's allegation that it was responsible for the deadly attack.
The British and US State Department also suspected Tehran to be behind the attack.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was working "with our partners" on an "appropriate response."
The oil tanker "MT Mercer Street" operated by the company of an Israeli entrepreneur was attacked off the coast of Oman on Thursday.
A Romanian and a British crew member were killed.
The US Army said there was "clear" evidence that the attack was carried out with drones.
Blinken confirmed this in its statement.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Sunday that there was "intelligence evidence" of Iran's guilt.
"We expect the international community to make it clear to the Iranian regime that it has made a serious mistake."
"There is no justification for this attack"
"There is no justification for this attack," Blinken emphasized. Iran's actions threaten the freedom of navigation, international trade and the crew of ships, said the minister. Foreign Minister Dominic Raab had previously announced in London that Great Britain was working with its partners on a reaction to the "unacceptable" attack. Iran has denied allegations from Israel that it was responsible for the attack.
According to the operating company Zodiac Maritime, the tanker was en route from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates without cargo at the time of the attack.
After the attack, the crew made an emergency call, to which Washington US Marines responded.
They went on board MT Mercer Street to support the crew and saw evidence of the attack there.
mjm / AFP