Iran is responsible for the attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared on Thursday. He came to that conclusion "based on intelligence, the weapons used, the level of expertise needed to execute the operation," recent similar Iranian attacks on shipping, etc.
BREAKING: Sec. Pompeo says the US blames Iran for the attacks on 2 tanker ships in the Gulf of Oman today. https://t.co/WzJJ6PwPRj pic.twitter.com/W34CH78hHt
— NBC News (@NBCNews) June 13, 2019
It is the assessment of the U.S. government that Iran is responsible for today's attacks in the Gulf of Oman. These attacks are a threat to international peace and security, a blatant assault on the freedom of navigation, and an unacceptable escalation of tension by Iran. pic.twitter.com/cbLrWNU5S0
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) June 13, 2019
Pompeo took a hard line on Iran and said the U.S. will defend its forces, interests and stand with our partners and allies. Yet, the secretary also hoped they could bring Iran "back to the negotiating table."
Iran denies involvement in the tanker attacks.
One of the targeted ships is operated by a Japanese company and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attempted to ease tensions and met with the Iranian Ayatollah. President Trump acknowledged that Abe's heart was in the right place, but it's "too soon."
While I very much appreciate P.M. Abe going to Iran to meet with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, I personally feel that it is too soon to even think about making a deal. They are not ready, and neither are we!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 13, 2019
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