Israel's Netanyahu Blames Iran For Explosion On Cargo Ship

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Iran of carrying out an attack on an Israeli-owned cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman last week.

“This was indeed an operation by Iran. That is clear,” Netanyahu told state radio Kan in an interview aired on March 1.

“Iran is the greatest enemy of Israel. I am determined to halt it. We are hitting it in the entire region,” Netanyahu said in response to a question about whether Israel would retaliate.

The MV Helios Ray, a vehicle carrier, was traveling from the Saudi port of Dammam to Singapore when it was struck by an explosion on February 25.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said on February 27 that Iran was likely behind the explosion that hit the vessel above the water line.

“The location of the ship in relative close proximity to Iran raises the belief that Iran was responsible, but it must still be verified,” Gantz told Kan television. “Right now, at an initial assessment level, given the proximity and the context, that is my assessment.”

Iran blamed Israel for the assassination of its top nuclear scientist in November and vowed to retaliate.

Gantz said it was known Iran was looking to target Israeli infrastructure and citizens.

The explosion did not cause any casualties but left two 1.5-meter-diameter holes in the side of the vessel, the ship’s Israeli owner, Rami Ungar, told Kan on February 26.

The Bahamian-flagged vessel, registered in the Isle of Man, is currently docked in Dubai, where an Israeli team has been sent to investigate.

With reporting by AP and Reuters