EU condemns Iranian drone attack against Israeli-managed ship off the coast of Oman

The European Union has condemned "in the strongest terms the unlawful attack" committed by Iran on the merchant vessel Mercer Street, off Masirah Island in Oman, on 29 July, which left two dead. The Japanese-owned Mercer Street, which is managed by Zodiac Maritime Ltd., a London-based company owned by Israeli tycoon Eyal Ofer, was hit by a suicide drone.

"There is no justification for this attack which killed a Romanian as well as a British citizen. We offer our condolences to their families and friends and express our full solidarity with the affected member state," said EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell in a statement issued on Sunday (8 August) on behalf of the European Union. "Such reckless and unilateral actions, against international law and threatening to international peace, are unacceptable and need to stop. Freedom of navigation must be guaranteed in accordance with international law," the statement said, adding that "all available evidence clearly points to Iran".

"We call on all relevant parties in the region to play a constructive role in fostering regional stability and peace. In this context, the EU will continue the intense diplomatic efforts to advance appropriate and effective dialogue and solutions," Borrell said.

Israel, the US and Britain have blamed Iran for the attack. Israeli Prime Minister declared that "the world recently received a reminder of Iranian aggression, this time on the high seas. The Iranians, who attacked the ship ‘Mercer Street’ with unmanned aerial vehicles, intended to attack an Israeli target."

"Iran’s thuggishness endangers not only Israel, but also harms global interests, namely freedom of navigation and international trade," he added. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid named the Iranian commander of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as the individual responsible for attacks in the Gulf of Oman. During a briefing to ambassadors of UN Security Council member states at the Israeli foreign ministry, Gantz said: “Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC’s air force, is behind dozens of terror attacks in the region employing UAVs and missiles. For the first time, I will also expose the man who is directly responsible for the launch of suicide UAVs; his name is Saeed Ara Jani, and he is the head of the IRGC’s UAV command. The UAV command conducted the attack on the Mercer Street. Saeed Ara Jani plans and provides the training and equipment to conduct terror attacks in the region.”

Iran and its militia allies have used so-called “suicide” drones in attacks previously, which crash into targets and detonate their explosive payloads. Calling it an “unlawful and callous attack”, British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab said his country and its allies planned a coordinated response over the strike.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there was “no justification for this attack, which follows a pattern of attacks and other belligerent behavior”. Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu said that his country will work with international partners on a response to the Iranian attack. Iran will likely be the top agenda item when Israeli Prime Minister Bennett travels to the US to meet President Biden later this month Israel hopes this latest attack and the clear intelligence that Iran was responsible will strengthen the resolve of the international community to recognise the dangers inherent within the Iranian regime.

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