The Government department said the ambassador was being summoned in response to the “unlawful attack on a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman on 29 July, in which a British national and Romanian national were killed”. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “The Iranian Ambassador to the UK, Mohsen Baharvand, was summoned today to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office by the Minister for the Middle East, James Cleverly, in response to the unlawful attack committed on MV Mercer Street on 29 July.
“Minister Cleverly reiterated that Iran must immediately cease actions that risk international peace and security, and reinforced that vessels must be allowed to navigate freely in accordance with international law.”
Sky News Foreign Affairs Editor Deborah Haynes had earlier tweeted: “@SkyNews understands Iran’s ambassador to the UK was summoned to @FCDOGovUK today after Iran was blamed for fatal attack on Israeli-linked tanker.
“@JamesCleverly met with the envoy.
“Normally it would be permanent secretary. Minister-level meeting = sign of gravity.”
On Sunday, the UK said it was “highly likely” Iran carried out an “unlawful and callous attack”, which left a Briton dead.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the Government believed the drone attack on a ship in the Middle East was “deliberate, targeted, and a clear violation of international law by Iran”.
He said: “The UK condemns the unlawful and callous attack committed on a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman, which killed a British and a Romanian national.
“Our thoughts are with the friends and family of those killed in the incident.
“We believe this attack was deliberate, targeted, and a clear violation of international law by Iran.
“UK assessments have concluded that it is highly likely that Iran attacked the MV Mercer Street in international waters off Oman on July 29 using one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
“Iran must end such attacks, and vessels must be allowed to navigate freely in accordance with international law.
“The UK is working with our international partners on a concerted response to this unacceptable attack.”
The attack on the tanker, named Mercer Street, happened late on Thursday and was the first known fatal attack after years of assaults on commercial shipping in the region.
British maritime security firm Ambrey said the strike killed one of its employees aboard.
Iran has denied responsibility after Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett blamed it for the attack, but he has now been backed by Mr Raab.
Britain’s position on the matter has also been backed by the US after Anthony Blinken said he was “confident that Iran conducted this attack”.
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