National security adviser John Bolton said the U.S. believes Iranian naval mines are the cause of recent attacks on tankers off the United Arab Emirates.
Speaking in Abu Dhabi, Bolton declined to comment about the investigation into the attacks that targeted four vessels this month but emphasized that Iran was to blame, according to Reuters.
“I think it is clear these [attacks] were naval mines almost certainly from Iran,” Bolton said. “There is no doubt in anybody’s mind in Washington who is responsible for this and I think it’s important that the leadership in Iran know that we know.”
The attacks hit two Saudi Arabian oil tankers, a UAE bunker barge, and an oil-products tanker registered out of Norway. In addition, pumping stations in Saudi Arabia were hit by drone strikes this month and a rocket of the same model used by Iran was detonated near the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. Bolton said all of the attacks are tied in that Iran and its proxies are to blame.
Citing potential threats against the U.S. and assets, the military deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the Middle East earlier this month. The increased military presence comes at the same time the U.S. continues to exert a “maximum pressure” campaign against the regime targeting its financial industry.
Bolton will be attending emergency summits with Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia Thursday to discuss the developments in the region.
