US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated his commitment to a “collective response” to Iran after the country was blamed for an attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman.
The Mercer Street cistern, which is managed by an Israeli company, was attacked in Omani waters on July 29th. A British security guard and a Romanian crew member were killed during the attack.
“We are in very close contact and coordination with the United Kingdom, Israel, Romania and other countries. “There will be a collective response,” Blinken told reporters.
Blinken called the incident a “direct threat to freedom of navigation and trade.”
“Iran continues to act with extreme irresponsibility,” he said.
Tehran has warned it will respond swiftly to any threats to its security after the United Kingdom summoned the Iranian ambassador over the incident off the coast of Oman.
Britain, the United States and Israel have accused Iran of being behind what they said was a deadly bombing.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett accused Tehran of “cowardly” denying responsibility, while the foreign minister said the attack deserved a harsh response.
