Being Accused Of The Mastermind Behind The Attack On Tankers: Iran Strongly Condemns Britain, Mentions The Israeli Scenario

JAKARTA - Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh strongly condemned Britain's accusations related to the attack on the tanker Mercer Street last week.

"These remarks by the British Foreign Secretary towards the Iranian people are not new and are part of a chain of irresponsible statements by officials in the country in recent years", he criticized, citing The Jerusalem Post Monday, August 9.

“Iran is concerned by the apparent abuses that the UK has committed against Iranian oil tankers in international waters. I strongly advise the British Government to pay attention to its responsibilities and duties. The security of the Persian Gulf is a red line for Iran, and we are doing our best to protect this waterway from the insecurity of countries like Britain", Khatibzadeh said.

This stern warning refers to tensions between Britain and Iran as they were in 2019. At that time, British Royal Marines boarded the Grace 1 tanker (which was still an Iranian flag) when it entered the Mediterranean Sea.

The incident was then followed by mutual arrests of each country's ship, although in the end all of the ships were freed.

Iran on Saturday also categorically rejected the G7's accusations, calling them "baseless" and "anti-Iran".

"We firmly condemn the baseless statements by the G7 foreign ministers, the high representatives of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy, in which baseless accusations have been leveled against the Islamic Republic of Iran", Khatibzadeh said, citing the Tehran Times.

"It should be noted that this incident scenario played out just a few days before the inauguration ceremony of Iran's new president, which is a manifestation of the democratic transition of power in Iran", he continued.

"Such baseless scenarios, usually developed by the Israeli regime, are aimed at stoking tensions and are sadly believed by those who are prepared to draw unreal and unwise conclusions. In fact, those familiar with the history of the region are no strangers to conspiracies like it was by the Israeli regime at various points in time", he said.

Earlier, the Iranian Embassy in Britain had reacted to Britain's envoy to the United Nations Barbara Woodward, who said Iran was responsible for the July 29 attack on Israeli-operated Mercer Street off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.

"The UK knows Iran was responsible for this attack. We know it was intentional and targeted. There is no justification for what happened", Woodward said, accusing Iran of ignoring international law.

"The global economy, our food, our goods depend on the safety of commercial shipping. That's why we have international laws that protect freedom of navigation".