The images show two gaping holes in the hull of an oil tanker flying the flag of the Islamic Republic. The alleged attack happened last week off the Saudi Arabian port of Jeddah. Iran said that the “cowardly” attack on its own tanker was caused by a missile strike and vowed not to let it go unanswered.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tehran had evidence the tanker damaged in the Red Sea was attacked with rockets fired from boats, warning that those responsible would face consequences.
During a news conference, which was broadcast on Iranian state television, Rouhani said that footage of the alleged attack existed, even though it has not yet been released.
Rouhani added that a government was behind the hit and warned that there would be consequences.
Rouhani said: “It wasn’t an act by terrorists, by an individual, a group.
“It was done by a government.
“It was a hostile and treacherous act.”
Tehran says the ship, called Sabiti, was hit by two separate explosions, likely hit by missiles, according to its owner.
The National Iranian Tanker Company released pictures of the vessel that showed two holes, one square, both with sharp edges and oil pouring out into the sea.
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Washington accused Tehran of attacking the vessels with mines and to be behind the drone assault on the Saudia Arabia refineries – something Tehran has denied.
But the state-owned NITC denied reports the attack had originated from Saudi soil.
Saudi Arabia has said it was not behind any attack on the tanker. The kingdom’s authorities said they received a distress message from the vessel, but they added that it had switched off its transponder before they could assist.
The claim could prove to be the most recent escalation in Iran’s continued standoff with Western powers and regional foes.
Meanwhile, during a news conference on Monday, Rouhani said that Iran would continue to pull back from commitments to the nuclear agreement, announcing his country would begin working with advanced IR-7 and IR-9 centrifuges.
It is unclear what those centrifuges can do, though Iran has a host of advanced centrifuges that enrich uranium more rapidly than those allowed under the accord.
Rouhani said: ”The European countries have failed to fulfil their promises.
“We will continue to decrease our nuclear commitments.
“We will start working on IR-7 and IR-9 centrifuges.”