It is the 21st century, and the world is not clear over the responsibility of tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. Iran is being seen as responsible for these attacks. UAE and Saudi Arabia are not in doubt. However, the world seems to be cautious in its reaction. It was reported by most of the world media that unidentified state actor and unknown forces attacked oil tankers transiting through the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. It is not difficult to identify the unidentified state actor in this incident.
Context is always important in such events, and the circumstance here should be taken into account. There has been a hot exchange of words between the US and Iran for some time since the US announced that it is not going to recognize a nuclear deal with Iran. On the other hand, Iran’s support to Houthis is not hidden, and after Houthis’ claiming the responsibility of Abha airport attack in Saudi Arabia, it is easy to connect both attacks. The point is that if Iran is not responsible for tanker attacks, then who can be declared responsible for it.
There should be some questions before the stakeholders, and they should neutrally answer them. Top of the question is that who may get benefit from these attacks when UAE has its focus on strengthening its economy and Saudi Arabia also does not have ambitions to attack any other country. Other countries in the Gulf do not have historical connections with such incidents while Iran has been supporting its favorites in the Middle East from Yemen to Syria. Therefore, it is surprising, but ridiculous to use words like unidentified state actor and unknown forces when discussing these serious attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf. The severity of the incident is revealed by the selection of these attacks as Japanese and Norwegian owned ships have been attacked by the unidentified state actor, i.e. Iran. These countries have not been at war with Iran, but the message is clear to spread terror across the globe.
Fortunately, the world has started to identify the unidentified. World leaders are going to point out Iran as responsible for tanker attacks. Tanker attacks near the soil of UAE give the message to become an active and direct party in the conflict with Iran. Houthis’ attacks on Abha airport gives Saudi Arabia a message to be alert. The UN has urged to start an independent investigation into the crisis prevailed in the Gulf. The UK and the US have also made statements in which Iran has been identified as responsible for these tanker attacks in the Gulf.
Still, one thing is missing, and that is about undeniable evidence to prove Iran’s involvement in it. It was noted at the beginning of this article that we are living in the 21st century, and we should not be too late to identify the unidentified state actor in the Gulf. It is time to collect evidence to prove Iran’s involvement in these attacks where it has targeted one of the busiest oil tanker routes in the world.
