US National Security Advisor John Bolton said Wednesday that Iran was almost certainly behind oil tanker attacks that sent Gulf tensions soaring — an accusation Tehran dismissed as “laughable”.
The new war of words came on the eve of emergency Arab and Gulf summits called by Iran’s regional rival Saudi Arabia to discuss the standoff and ways to isolate Tehran.
It follows a US military buildup that includes the deployment of an aircraft carrier, B-52 bombers and 1,500 more troops to the region.
Speaker during a visit to the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, Bolton said that additional US forces were sent to the Middle East as a “deterrent” and that Washington’s response will be prudent.
The four ships, including two Saudi tankers, sabotaged off the Emirati coast on May 12 were attacked using “naval mines almost certainly from Iran”, Bolton told a press conference.
“There’s no doubt in anybody’s mind in Washington who’s responsible for this,” he said in a clear reference to Iran.
Bolton however declined to provide specific evidence for Iran’s hand in the attacks.
“Not going to get into the specifics. That’s something the ship owners and the countries involved will release at their discretion. But I think it’s important for the leadership in Iran to know that we know,” he said.
Iran strongly rejected the accusation.
“Making such laughable claims… is not strange” coming from the US, foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said.
“Mr Bolton and other warmongers and chaos seekers should know that the strategic patience, high vigilance and complete defensive readiness of the Islamic Republic of Iran… will prevent the fulfilment of their evil desires for chaos in the region,” Mousavi added.
US experts are part of a five-nation team that is investigating the attacks off the UAE emirate of Fujairah.
