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Pompeo Claims 'Quite Possible' Iran Was Behind Latest Attacks on UAE Ships

© AFP 2023 / Emirati National Media CouncilA picture taken on May 13, 2019 off the coast of the Gulf emirate of Fujairah shows the A. Michel tanker under the flag of the United Arab Emirates, one of the four tankers damaged in alleged "sabotage attacks" in the Gulf the previous day.
A picture taken on May 13, 2019 off the coast of the Gulf emirate of Fujairah shows the A. Michel tanker under the flag of the United Arab Emirates, one of the four tankers damaged in alleged sabotage attacks in the Gulf the previous day. - Sputnik International
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WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it was possible that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was responsible for recent attacks on shipping vessels in the Persian Gulf and on Saudi oil pipelines.

Asked whether he believed the IRGC was behind the attacks, Pompeo said, "We haven’t formed a definitive conclusion that we can speak about publicly, but given all the regional conflicts that we have seen over the past decade and the shape of these attacks, it seems like it’s quite possible that Iran was behind these, and we’ll continue to develop the situation."

In this Sept. 21, 2016 file photo, an oil tanker approaches the new Jetty during the launch of a $650 million oil facility in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates - Sputnik International
Lebanon-Based Media Claims Blasts Rock Fujairah Port, UAE Officials Deny Reports
Pompeo said the United States would continue taking actions aimed at protecting American interests and deterring Iran's "misbehavior in the region."

The top US diplomat also warned that Iran's actions carried the risk of escalating tensions or destabilizing oil prices, a development he said Iran would view as "advantageous."

Earlier this month, two Saudi oil tankers and two other vessels were targeted in a mysterious attack in the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) exclusive economic zone. No casualties or environmental damage were reported after the incident. In addition, Yemeni Houthi rebels carried out drone attacks against a Saudi oil pipeline, causing fire and minor damage.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack on the oil tankers yet, but the United States reportedly believes that Iran might have orchestrated the sabotage.

READ MORE: Iranian Presidential Aide REVEALS Tehran's Strategy Toward US

In recent weeks, the United States has stepped up its military presence in the Middle East in what National Security Advisor John Bolton has called a "clear and unmistakable message" to Tehran. The United States has recently deployed an aircraft carrier strike group, Patriot missiles, B-52 bombers and F-15 fighters to the region, according to the Pentagon.

Responding to the US actions, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Tehran would continue to resist Washington but that there would be no war.

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