US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Wednesday that Iran was “almost certainly” behind the sabotage of four oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates’ port of Fujairah earlier this month.
“I think it is clear these (tanker attacks) were naval mines almost certainly from Iran,” he told reporters in Abu Dhabi.
"Who else would you think is doing it?" he asked rhetorically. "Somebody from Nepal?"
Bolton had arrived in the UAE on Tuesday for talks with officials on regional security.
He will meet with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Emirati counterpart Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss bilateral ties and regional tensions.
The UAE has not blamed anyone for the sabotage attack. It is carrying out an investigation with Saudi Arabia, Norway, France and the US in the incident.
Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated since US President Donald Trump withdrew from a pact, signed with other major powers, designed to curb Tehran’s nuclear activities.
The Trump administration has tightened sanctions on Iran, notably targeting its key oil exports, and beefed up its military presence in the Gulf, accusing Tehran of threats to US troops and interests.
Bolton said the United States was trying to be “prudent and responsible” in its approach. “The point is to make it clear to Iran and its surrogates that these kind of activities risk a very strong response from the Americans.”
He said the tanker attacks were connected to the strike on oil pumping stations on Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline and a rocket attack on the Green Zone in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
Bolton said the US was deeply concerned with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Quds Force’s employment of Shiite militias in Iraq to launch indirect attacks against US forces deployed there.
“We will hold the Quds Force responsible if we see attacks,” he stressed.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman dismissed Bolton’s remarks as “ludicrous”.
"Iran's strategic patience, vigilance and defensive prowess will defuse mischievous plots made by Bolton,” said Abbas Mousavi according to the Fars news agency.
