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UAE believes a state was behind tanker attacks UAE believes a state was behind tanker attacks
(30 minutes later)
The United Arab Emirates has told UN members that a state was likely to be behind “sophisticated and coordinated” attacks on four tankers off its coast last month.The United Arab Emirates has told UN members that a state was likely to be behind “sophisticated and coordinated” attacks on four tankers off its coast last month.
The attacks required expert navigation of fast boats and trained divers who likely placed limpet mines on the vessels under the waterline to incapacitate but not sink them, according to the preliminary findings of a joint investigation by the UAE, Norway and Saudi Arabia.The attacks required expert navigation of fast boats and trained divers who likely placed limpet mines on the vessels under the waterline to incapacitate but not sink them, according to the preliminary findings of a joint investigation by the UAE, Norway and Saudi Arabia.
In a briefing document given to UN security council members, the three countries did not say who they believed was behind the attacks. Iran has been accused by the United States of being responsible. In a briefing document given to UN security council members, the three countries did not say who they believed was behind the attacks. Iran has been accused by the US of being responsible.
“While investigations are still ongoing, these facts are strong indications that 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,” the document said.“While investigations are still ongoing, these facts are strong indications that 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,” the document said.
The countries believe the attacks were the work of several teams of operatives who coordinated the timed detonation of all four explosive charges within an hour.The countries believe the attacks were the work of several teams of operatives who coordinated the timed detonation of all four explosive charges within an hour.
The 12 May attacks targeted two Saudi tankers, an Emirati vessel and a Norwegian tanker, causing no casualties but fuelling tensions between the US and Iran.The 12 May attacks targeted two Saudi tankers, an Emirati vessel and a Norwegian tanker, causing no casualties but fuelling tensions between the US and Iran.
The US national security adviser, John Bolton, said on 29 May that the attacks were the work of “naval mines almost certainly from Iran”. Tehran denied the accusations.The US national security adviser, John Bolton, said on 29 May that the attacks were the work of “naval mines almost certainly from Iran”. Tehran denied the accusations.
A few days earlier, US Rear Admiral Michael Gilday accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards of being directly responsible for the attacks.A few days earlier, US Rear Admiral Michael Gilday accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards of being directly responsible for the attacks.
While the briefing document did not mention Iran, a Saudi diplomat in New York laid the blame squarely on the country. “We believe that the responsibility for this action lies on the shoulders of Iran. We have no hesitation in making this statement,” said Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, the Saudi ambassador to the United Nations.While the briefing document did not mention Iran, a Saudi diplomat in New York laid the blame squarely on the country. “We believe that the responsibility for this action lies on the shoulders of Iran. We have no hesitation in making this statement,” said Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, the Saudi ambassador to the United Nations.
President Donald Trump’s administration, acting on concerns of a potential attack by Iran on US interests, has deployed 1,500 more troops to the Middle East, accelerated the movement of an aircraft carrier strike group to the region and sent bombers and additional Patriot missiles. Donald Trump’s administration, acting on concerns of a potential attack by Iran on US interests, has deployed a further 1,500 troops to the Middle East, accelerated the movement of an aircraft carrier strike group to the region and sent bombers and additional Patriot missiles.
The tanker attacks occurred off the UAE emirate of Fujairah, which lies just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil and gas shipping route that separates the Gulf Arab states – allies of the US and Iran.The tanker attacks occurred off the UAE emirate of Fujairah, which lies just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil and gas shipping route that separates the Gulf Arab states – allies of the US and Iran.
The UN briefing said the attacks endangered commercial navigation and the security of global energy supplies. The UAE, Norway and Saudi Arabia planned to share their findings with the London-based International Maritime Organization.The UN briefing said the attacks endangered commercial navigation and the security of global energy supplies. The UAE, Norway and Saudi Arabia planned to share their findings with the London-based International Maritime Organization.
In the weeks before the attacks, the Trump administration hardened its policy against Iran by fully reimposing sanctions on Iranian oil exports and designating the Revolutionary Guard corps as a foreign terrorist organisation.In the weeks before the attacks, the Trump administration hardened its policy against Iran by fully reimposing sanctions on Iranian oil exports and designating the Revolutionary Guard corps as a foreign terrorist organisation.
Trump reiterated this week that he wants to sit down with Iran’s leaders to negotiate a new deal, a year after Washington pulled out of an accord between Iran and global powers to curb Tehran’s nuclear program in return for lifting international sanctions.Trump reiterated this week that he wants to sit down with Iran’s leaders to negotiate a new deal, a year after Washington pulled out of an accord between Iran and global powers to curb Tehran’s nuclear program in return for lifting international sanctions.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Tuesday that Tehran would not be “deceived” by Trump*s offer. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Tuesday that Tehran would not be “deceived” by Trump’s offer.
United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates
United NationsUnited Nations
NorwayNorway
Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia
IranIran
US foreign policyUS foreign policy
Middle East and North AfricaMiddle East and North Africa
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