The United States and United Kingdom governments have accused Iran of the attack against the Israeli-owned Mercer Street oil tanker off the coast of Oman on 29 July, threatening Tehran with a “concerted response.”
“We are 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,” US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a press release on 1 August.

Meanwhile, in an official press release, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “We believe this attack was deliberate, targeted, and a clear violation of international law by Iran. UK assessments have concluded that it is highly likely that Iran attacked the MV MERCER STREET in international waters off Oman on 29 July using one or more Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).”

The attack on the oil tanker left at least two people dead, including one British citizen.

The announcements from Israel’s biggest allies come after the Israeli government expressed certainty that Iran was behind the attack, with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid calling for a “harsh” international response to it.

For their part, Iran has fiercely denied any involvement in the attack, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh saying, “The Zionist regime (Israel) has created insecurity, terror and violence…These accusations about Iran’s involvement are condemned by Tehran.”