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| Tanker attack: UK and US blame Iran for deadly ship attack | Tanker attack: UK and US blame Iran for deadly ship attack |
| (3 months later) | |
| The Mercer Street was attacked off the coast of Oman, and two on board were killed | The Mercer Street was attacked off the coast of Oman, and two on board were killed |
| The UK and US believe Iran was behind a tanker attack that killed two people, and have vowed to respond, calling it a violation of international law. | The UK and US believe Iran was behind a tanker attack that killed two people, and have vowed to respond, calling it a violation of international law. |
| The MV Mercer Street, operated by an Israeli-owned firm, was attacked off Oman on Thursday. | The MV Mercer Street, operated by an Israeli-owned firm, was attacked off Oman on Thursday. |
| A British national and a Romanian citizen were killed. | A British national and a Romanian citizen were killed. |
| The statements came after Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said there was "evidence" that its longstanding foe Iran was responsible. | The statements came after Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said there was "evidence" that its longstanding foe Iran was responsible. |
| Mr Bennett warned that "we know how to send a message to Iran in our own way", while Tehran rejected what it called the "baseless accusations". | Mr Bennett warned that "we know how to send a message to Iran in our own way", while Tehran rejected what it called the "baseless accusations". |
| On Monday, Iran warned the UK, US and Israel that any actions in response to the drone attack on the tanker "will be met with a severe and decisive answer". | On Monday, Iran warned the UK, US and Israel that any actions in response to the drone attack on the tanker "will be met with a severe and decisive answer". |
| The attack on the MV Mercer Street appears to be the latest escalation in an undeclared "shadow war" between Israel and Iran. | The attack on the MV Mercer Street appears to be the latest escalation in an undeclared "shadow war" between Israel and Iran. |
| For months there have been several attacks on both Israeli and Iranian-operated vessels, which are seen as tit-for-tat incidents, though casualties are rare. | For months there have been several attacks on both Israeli and Iranian-operated vessels, which are seen as tit-for-tat incidents, though casualties are rare. |
| Iran has also accused Israel of targeting its nuclear sites and scientists. | Iran has also accused Israel of targeting its nuclear sites and scientists. |
| EXPLAINED: Iran and Israel's shadow war | EXPLAINED: Iran and Israel's shadow war |
| In a statement on Sunday, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said London believed Iran had used one or more drones against the MV Mercer Street, calling it "deliberate, targeted, and a clear violation of international law". | In a statement on Sunday, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said London believed Iran had used one or more drones against the MV Mercer Street, calling it "deliberate, targeted, and a clear violation of international law". |
| "Iran must end such attacks, and vessels must be allowed to navigate freely," he added. | "Iran must end such attacks, and vessels must be allowed to navigate freely," he added. |
| US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was also "confident that Iran conducted this", and that an "appropriate response" would follow. | US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was also "confident that Iran conducted this", and that an "appropriate response" would follow. |
| Israel's Prime Minister said he expected the international community to make clear to Iran that it had made a serious mistake. | Israel's Prime Minister said he expected the international community to make clear to Iran that it had made a serious mistake. |
| Naftali Bennett raised speculation about retaliation, saying "we know how to send a message to Iran in our own way" | Naftali Bennett raised speculation about retaliation, saying "we know how to send a message to Iran in our own way" |
| Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh, told reporters that "the Zionist regime (Israel) has created insecurity, terror and violence". | Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh, told reporters that "the Zionist regime (Israel) has created insecurity, terror and violence". |
| He said Israel "must stop such baseless accusations", warning: "Whoever sows the wind reaps the whirlwind." | He said Israel "must stop such baseless accusations", warning: "Whoever sows the wind reaps the whirlwind." |
| The escalation comes against the backdrop of thorny talks between Iran and world powers in Vienna to try to revive a frayed 2015 deal curbing Iran's nuclear programme. | The escalation comes against the backdrop of thorny talks between Iran and world powers in Vienna to try to revive a frayed 2015 deal curbing Iran's nuclear programme. |
| Western countries suspect Iran might be seeking to build nuclear weapons in violation of conventions - something Iran strongly denies. | Western countries suspect Iran might be seeking to build nuclear weapons in violation of conventions - something Iran strongly denies. |
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| Iran nuclear programme: The States, sites and secrecy | Iran nuclear programme: The States, sites and secrecy |