NATO condemns Iran over deadly tanker attack off Oman

By Ahmet Gencturk

ANKARA (AA) – NATO on Tuesday condemned Iran for a deadly drone attack on an Israeli-managed oil tanker off the coast of Oman on July 29 that killed two crew members.

Sending condolences to Romania and the UK for the losses, NATO said in a statement: “Freedom of navigation is vital for all NATO allies, and must be upheld in accordance with international law.”

Underscoring that the UK, the US and Romania have concluded that Iran is highly likely responsible for the attack, the alliance expressed concern about Iran’s actions in the region, which it described destabilizing.

NATO calls on Tehran to respect its international obligations, the statement concluded.

Iran, however, has denied involvement in the strike.

In recent months, many attacks on commercial vessels have been reported and linked to heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, with both nations accusing each other of responsibility. However, the attack on the Mercer Street on July 29, a Liberian-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Israeli-operated tanker, has been described as the worst attack in several months.

The attack blasted a hole through the top of the tanker’s bridge, where the captain and crew were located.