Gulf tanker attacks: Iran rejects US allegations

IANS  |  New York 

on Friday "categorically" rejected the US' accusations linking to the attacks on two in the Gulf of

US blamed for the "unprovoked attacks", saying made its assessment based on intelligence about the type of weapons used.

Iran's said in a statement released on Friday that the government "categorically rejects" the US claim that it was responsible for the latest incidents against which it condemns "in the strongest possible terms", state-run news agency reported.

It said: "stands ready to play an active and constructive role in ensuring the security of strategic maritime passages as well as promoting peace, stability and security in the region."

The Mission warned of "the US coercion, intimidation and malign behaviour" and expressed concern "over suspicious incidents" involving the two tankers.

It called on the international community to prevent "the reckless and dangerous policies and practices of the US and its regional allies in heightening the tensions in the region".

"The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates that the only solution to the tension in this region is the active and constructive engagement of all regional countries within the context of a genuine dialogue based on mutual respect and basic principles of international law," the Mission said.

The dismissed as "inflammatory" acting Jonathan Cohen's statement after a closed meeting on the tanker attacks that should meet with diplomacy - "not with terror, attacks on ships, infrastructure and diplomatic facilities".

The US military's released a video that it said showed Iran's Revolutionary Guard "removing (an) unexploded limpet mine" from the side of the following the blasts, reports said.

The incident came a month after four were damaged in an attack off the at the time blamed Iran, but denied the accusations.

--IANS

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First Published: Fri, June 14 2019. 15:36 IST