Brussels (dpa) – NATO has called on Iran to respect its international obligations, following last week’s drone attack on the tanker ship Mercer Street off the coast of Oman in which a British national and a Romanian national were killed.
A NATO spokesperson said allies Britain, Romania and the United States had all concluded that Iran was likely to have been responsible for the attack that occurred last Thursday.
The tanker is operated by British-based Zodiac Maritime, whose chairperson is Israeli businessperson Eyal Ofer.
«We join Allies in strongly condemning the recent fatal attack on the MV Mercer Street off the coast of Oman, and express our condolences to Romania and the United Kingdom for the losses they have suffered,» NATO spokesperson Dylan White said on Tuesday.
«Freedom of navigation is vital for all NATO Allies, and must be upheld in accordance with international law. The United Kingdom, the United States, and Romania have concluded that Iran is highly likely responsible for this incident.»
He said the allies remained concerned by Iran’s destabilizing actions in the region, and called on Tehran to respect its international obligations.
Tehran has repeatedly denied any involvement, and did so again on Monday following statements late on Sunday from the governments of Britain and the US that blamed Iran.
The drone attack is particularly concerning as it occurred on a major trade route. Ships travelling between the Gulf and the EU usually pass the coast of Oman.