Jerusalem | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday accused Iran of being behind the explosion last week on an Israeli ship in the Arabian Sea and pledged a retaliation against Iranian interests “everywhere in the region”.
The MV Helios Ray, an Israeli vessel carrying vehicles, was on the way between the Saudi city of Dammam and Singapore at the time of the explosion that took place off the Sultanate of Oman, according to Dryad Global, a company specializing in maritime safety.
The Arabian Sea is located between Iran and Oman, at the exit of the strategic Strait of Hormuz through which passes a large part of the world’s oil and where a coalition led by the United States operates.
“It is clear that this is an Iranian act. And as for my response, you know my policy. Iran is Israel’s greatest enemy and I am determined to stop it and we will strike it all over the region, ”Netanyahu said in a radio interview.
“More importantly, Iran will not have nuclear weapons whatsoever, with a deal or without a deal. This is what I told my friend, President (American Joe) Biden, ”added the head of the Israeli government, currently campaigning for the March 23 legislative elections.
He was speaking after nightly strikes attributed to Israel against pro-Iranian elements in neighboring Syria.
On Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz raised the possibility of an Iran attack on the boat as Tehran tries, according to the Israeli authorities, to increase the pressure to renegotiate to its advantage with Washington the agreement on its nuclear program.