Iran says not behind blast on Israeli-owned ship

Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu has accused Tehran of attacking the ship in the Gulf of Oman last week

World 12:49 01.03.2021
Iran strongly rejects Israel's claim that Tehran was behind a blast aboard an Israeli-owned ship in the Gulf of Oman last week, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said in a televised news conference on Monday.
 
"We strongly reject this accusation... the security of the Persian Gulf is extremely important for Iran," Saeed Khatibzadeh said.
 
The remarks come hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Iran for a blast aboard the MV Helios Ray, a vehicle-carrier ship, but sidestepped a question on whether Israel would retaliate.
 
The MV Helios Ray was hit between Thursday and Friday morning by a blast above the water line that a US official said ripped holes in both sides of its hull.
 
The blue-and-white vessel on Sunday arrived at Dubai's Port Rashid, where a spokesperson for DP World said an assessment can be made.
 
An Israeli delegation was also en route to Dubai to investigate further, Israeli Channel 13 reported on Saturday. 
 
The ship is owned by a Tel Aviv company, Ray Shipping, through a company registered in the Isle of Man, according to a UN shipping database.
 
Israeli Channel 13 News said defence officials believed the Iranian navy had launched a precision strike to avoid casualties, firing two missiles at a part of the ship that if damaged would not have sunk the vessel.
 
"This was indeed an operation by Iran. That is clear," Netanyahu told Kan radio.
 
Asked if Israel would retaliate, he repeated previous statements about his determination to prevent Iran from developing nuclear capacity and added: "We are striking at it (Iran) all over the region."
 
Tehran has not commented on the incident nor responded to earlier Israeli accusations that it might have been involved.
 
Kan said the Netanyahu interview was pre-recorded on Sunday night, before Syria accused Israel of carrying out missile strikes around southern Damascus.
 
Israel did not confirm carrying out those strikes, but has previously said it was launching frequent military actions against Iranian deployment or arms handovers within Syria.
 
These latest attacks come as the administration of US President Joe Biden attempts to reverse policies set out by his predecessor, Donald Trump, that led to the US withdrawing from a nuclear deal between Iran and other major powers. 
 
Trump had reimposed sanctions on Tehran and blamed Iran for attacks on other ships in Gulf waters, notably two vessels carrying two Saudi oil tankers in May 2019. Iran has denied carrying out the attacks.

 

Hikmat Hajiyev: "Azerbaijan is a natural link connecting Central Asia and Europe" - VIDEO

News line

Hezbollah fires at Israel with Iranian-made missiles
Hezbollah fires at Israel with Iranian-made missiles
18:19 29.03.2024
Azerbaijan's Dushbara is on list of tastiest dumplings worldwide
18:00 29.03.2024
EU-Armenia-US joint conference may encourage Armenia to new provocations - Azerbaijan's FM
17:47 29.03.2024
Melting Polar Ice Caps Slow Earth's Rotation, Delaying "Leap Second" Addition
Melting Polar Ice Caps Slow Earth's Rotation, Delaying "Leap Second" Addition
17:29 29.03.2024
EU Delegation to Armenia Signals Push for Stability in South Caucasus - Insights from Arnold Stepanyan
17:14 29.03.2024
Russian MFA calls 102nd Military Base only guarantee of Armenia's sovereignty
17:01 29.03.2024
"The Ukrainian army is addicted to gambling" - says Ukrainian MP
"The Ukrainian army is addicted to gambling" - says Ukrainian MP
16:50 29.03.2024
Why are the US and the EU arming Armenia? - Pundit talks on Ednews
16:39 29.03.2024
Erdogan to visit US on May 9
Erdogan to visit US on May 9
16:26 29.03.2024
Hulusi Akar, US congressmen mull Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process
15:52 29.03.2024
Russian ambassador sees no reasons to expect Russian-US ties to improve
15:36 29.03.2024
British army lifts ban on serving soldiers having beards
British army lifts ban on serving soldiers having beards
15:29 29.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev: "Azerbaijan is a natural link connecting Central Asia and Europe" - VIDEO
15:13 29.03.2024
Azerbaijan weather forecast for March 30
Azerbaijan weather forecast for March 30
15:00 29.03.2024
Tajikistan detains 9 people over Russian concert shooting
Tajikistan detains 9 people over Russian concert shooting
14:46 29.03.2024
Washington Is Forming A New Alliance - OPINION
14:32 29.03.2024
Individuals identified as drug users will not be admitted for service in Azerbaijani tax authorities
14:14 29.03.2024
Philippines' Catholic devotees nailed to crosses to re-enact crucifixion
Philippines' Catholic devotees nailed to crosses to re-enact crucifixion
14:00 29.03.2024
Umud Mirzayev: EU's South Caucasus Visit Aims to Maintain Regional Influence
13:45 29.03.2024
Public Television of Armenia Reveals Villages to be Returned to Azerbaijan
13:39 29.03.2024
Death toll of Israeli strike in Syria rises to 42, war monitor says - UPDATED
13:25 29.03.2024
Azerbaijan toughens penalties for non-compliance with rules of state of emergency regime
Azerbaijan toughens penalties for non-compliance with rules of state of emergency regime
13:12 29.03.2024
How will the EU's visit to the South Caucasus affect the peace process? - Former ambassador talks to Ednews
13:00 29.03.2024
Azerbaijan tightens sanctions for breaching special operation zone rules on religious extremism
12:45 29.03.2024
Azerbaijan toughens penalties for non-compliance with rules of social emergency environment regime
12:33 29.03.2024
About $7 bln of foreign direct investment was invested in Azerbaijan last year
12:00 29.03.2024
Number of people injured in Crocus City Hall terrorist attack reaches 382
11:48 29.03.2024
Media: Netanyahu rejected the Mossad Chief's proposal for a possible agreement in Gaza
11:37 29.03.2024
Azerbaijani Parliament's meeting kicks off
11:26 29.03.2024
An American couple founded a website, which identifies brands that support Israel
An American couple founded a website, which identifies brands that support Israel
11:07 29.03.2024
US scientists name infection more dangerous for brain than coronavirus
US scientists name infection more dangerous for brain than coronavirus
11:00 29.03.2024
Parviz Shahbazov: Foundations of 4 new renewable energy plants will be laid this year
Parviz Shahbazov: Foundations of 4 new renewable energy plants will be laid this year
10:50 29.03.2024
Japan eyes self-driving expressway lane network
10:40 29.03.2024
Oil prices end 1Q24 with strong growth
10:30 29.03.2024
SECRETS of the European Union's visit to the South Caucasus - Fikret Sadigov EXPLAINS
10:25 29.03.2024
Ammunition found in Khankandi
Ammunition found in Khankandi
10:10 29.03.2024
Iran’s top diplomat: Military presence of third countries in Caspian Sea goes against interests of region
Iran’s top diplomat: Military presence of third countries in Caspian Sea goes against interests of region
10:00 29.03.2024
Armenia officially announces freezing its participation in CSTO
09:50 29.03.2024
US hopes to return to purchase of 72 fighter jets per year amid budget cuts
09:38 29.03.2024
Another 138 IDPs leave for Fuzuli
09:28 29.03.2024
Hamısı