Iran Denies Involvement in Alleged Attack on Israeli Oil Tanker

Reuters February 20, 2023

Iran denies Israel's accusation that Tehran targeted an Israeli tanker on Feb. 10, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said on Monday.

The captain of the Liberian-flagged Campo Square said on Saturday it had been lightly damaged by an airborne object on Feb. 10 while sailing through the Arabian Sea. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Iran was responsible.

Shipping databases linked the tanker to Zodiac Maritime, which is controlled by Israeli shipping magnate Eyal Ofer.

"We strongly reject the Zionist regime's accusation against Iran regarding the attack on the Israeli tanker," Kanaani said during a weekly news conference.

"We are very active in maintaining security and freedom of navigation in international waters and will continue to do so," he added.

(Reuters - Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Philippa Fletcher)