UAE claims ‘State actor’ behind tanker attacks

The United Arab Emirates has told the UN Security Council that a “state actor” was most likely behind attacks on four tankers off its coast.

The report states that May 12 attacks bore the hallmarks of a “sophisticated and coordinated operation,”

The UAE did not say who it thought was behind the attacks, which also targeted vessels from Saudi Arabia and Norway.

In a document on the briefing to Security Council members, the UAE, joined by Norway and Saudi Arabia, did not say who it believed was behind the attacks and did not mention Iran, which has been accused by the United States of being directly responsible.

The attacks required expert navigation of fast boats and trained divers who likely placed limpet mines with a high degree of precision on the vessels under the waterline to incapacitate but not sink them, according to the preliminary findings of the countries’ joint investigation.

The US has accused Iran of being behind the attacks, but Tehran has denied this and called for an investigation.

The attacks took place on 12 May, within UAE territorial waters east of the emirate of Fujairah, just outside the Strait of Hormuz.

Via The Arab News