US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Iran on Sunday that Washington and its allies would not sit idly by as it continued perpetrating violent actions in the region, just days after an Israeli-operated ship was targeted off Oman's coast.
"We join our partners and allies in our strong condemnation of the attack against the Mercer Street, a commercial ship that was peacefully transiting through the north Arabian Sea in international waters," Blinken said. "Upon review of the available information, we are confident that Iran conducted this attack, which killed two innocent people, using one-way explosive UAVs, a lethal capability it is increasingly employing throughout the region," he continued, adding that the Biden administration was "working with our partners to consider our next steps and consulting with governments inside the region and beyond on an appropriate response, which will be forthcoming."
Britain on Sunday said it believed Iran carried out an attack on the Israeli-managed tanker off the coast of Oman on July 29 that killed a Briton and a Romanian, and said it was working with partners on a "concerted response."
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"The UK condemns the unlawful and callous attack committed on a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman, which killed a British and a Romanian National," British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said.
"We believe this attack was deliberate, targeted, and a clear violation of international law by Iran."
He said British assessments had concluded it was "highly likely" that Iran attacked the tanker using one or more drones.
"The UK is working with our international partners on a concerted response to this unacceptable attack," he said.
The Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Aviv Kochavi spoke with his British counterpart on Sunday.
Kohavi and Britain's Staff General Nick Carter "discussed recent events in the region and common challenges faced by both countries," the IDF said. The statement did not elaborate nor specifically cite the MV Mercer Street incident.
According to an unverified report in Kuwaiti media, the US and the UK have given Israel a green light to respond militarily to the latest incident.
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