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'State actor' behind UAE tanker attacks UAE tanker attacks blamed on 'state actor'
(about 7 hours later)
The United Arab Emirates has told the UN Security Council that a "state actor" was most likely behind attacks on four tankers off its coast. The United Arab Emirates has told the UN Security Council a "state actor" was most likely behind attacks on four tankers off its coast.
The May 12 attacks bore the hallmarks of a "sophisticated and coordinated operation," according to its report. The 12 May attacks bore the hallmarks of a "sophisticated and co-ordinated operation", according to its report.
The UAE did not say who it thought was behind the attacks, which also targeted vessels from Saudi Arabia and Norway.The UAE did not say who it thought was behind the attacks, which also targeted vessels from Saudi Arabia and Norway.
The US has accused Iran of being behind the attacks, but Tehran has denied this and called for an investigation. The US has accused Iran of being behind the attacks but Tehran denies this and called for an investigation.
The attacks took place on 12 May, within UAE territorial waters east of the emirate of Fujairah, just outside the Strait of Hormuz. The attacks took place within UAE territorial waters east of the emirate of Fujairah, just outside the Strait of Hormuz, in what the UAE called a "sabotage attack".
The UAE authorities said four ships were targeted in a "sabotage attack". They exacerbated long-standing tensions between Iran, and the US and its allies in the Gulf.
There were no casualties but Saudi Arabia said two of its ships had suffered "significant damage". What does the report say happened?
Another tanker was Norwegian-registered, while the fourth was UAE-flagged. According to the UAE-led investigation, which was presented to the UN Security Council in New York, the attacks showed a "high degree of sophistication".
US National Security Adviser John Bolton, a long-time advocate for regime change in Tehran, said it was "clear" Iran was behind the attack. "The attacks required the expert navigation of fast boats" which "were able to intrude into UAE territorial waters", the report's preliminary findings say.
The US sees the attacks as part of a wider "campaign" against it and its allies. Divers were used to attack the ships using limpet mines in order to cause damage but not cause a major explosion, the presentation says.
The Iranian foreign ministry branded the accusation "ludicrous". There were no casualties but Saudi Arabia has said two of its ships suffered "significant" damage. Another tanker was Norwegian-registered, while the fourth was UAE-flagged.
What's the latest? Why is Iran being accused?
The new UAE-led probe found a "high degree of sophistication" behind the attacks. Responding to the UAE report, the Saudi Ambassador to the UN, Abdallah Y al-Mouallimi, told Reuters news agency: "We believe that the responsibility for this action lies on the shoulders of Iran. We have no hesitation in making this statement."
"The attacks required the expert navigation of fast boats" which "were able to intrude into UAE territorial waters," the report stated. US National Security Adviser John Bolton has said "naval mines almost certainly from Iran" were to blame for the damage, although he provided no evidence to support the allegation.
Divers were used to attack the ships using limpet mines in order to cause damage but not cause a major explosion, the presentation stated. US Vice Admiral Michael Gilday said he believed "with a high degree of confidence that this [attack] stems back to the leadership of Iran at the highest levels".
What is behind the heightened US-Iran tensions? The US has sent warships and bombers to the region as part of its response.
The tensions began rising at the start of May, when Washington ended exemptions from sanctions for countries still buying from Iran. The decision was intended to bring Iran's oil exports to zero, denying the government its main source of revenue. However, Mr Bolton, long known for his hawkish stance on Iran, denied the Trump administration was seeking to overthrow the Iranian government.
US President Donald Trump reinstated the sanctions a year ago after abandoning the landmark 2015 nuclear deal that Iran signed with six nations - the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany. "The policy we're pursuing is not a policy of regime change," he told reporters last week during a visit to London. "That's the fact and everybody should understand it that way."
Iran has now announced it it will suspend several commitments under the deal. Iran's foreign ministry has rejected the US accusations as "ludicrous" and accused Mr Bolton of being a "warmonger".
What are the underlying tensions?
At the start of May, Washington ended exemptions from sanctions for countries still buying oil from Iran.
The decision was intended to bring Iran's oil exports to zero, denying the government its main source of revenue.
US President Donald Trump reinstated the sanctions a year ago after abandoning the landmark 2015 nuclear deal that Iran agreed with six nations - the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany.
Iran has now announced it will suspend several commitments under the deal.