ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iran was “without question” behind last week’s attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman, US envoy to Iran Brian Hook told a congressional hearing on Wednesday – before leaving the same day for a tour of Europe and the Middle East to discuss “the range of active threats Iran currently poses to the region,” according to a US State Department statement.
“Those who have seen the intelligence all come away without any question Iran is behind these attacks,” Hook told the hearing.
Iranian boats were operating in the Strait of Hormuz on June 12 and 13 and approached the vessels which later sustained damage, he said.
An Islamic Republican Guard Corps (IRGC) official confirmed the organization had “completed two actions,” Hook added.
Wednesday's session was interrupted by protesters holding banners demanding no war or sanctions on Iran.
Hook is due to visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain to discuss “Iran’s regional aggression”, according to the State Department statement.
Hook “will also share additional U.S. intelligence on the range of active threats Iran currently poses to the region,” the statement added.
His travels will also take him to Europe to meet with officials from Britain, Germany and France “to discuss a range of issues concerning the Iranian regime,” the statement added.
Two tankers caught fire in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, forcing the crews of the Norwegian-owned Front Altair and the Japanese-owned Kokuka Courageous to abandon ship.
Although it remains unclear what caused the fires, the US and its Gulf allies have leveled the blame at Iran. The US Navy has published footage and photographs appearing to show IRGC Navy boats removing limpet mines from the hull of one of the vessels.
On Wednesday morning, a US Navy explosives expert said the limpet mines used to attack one of the tankers bore “a striking resemblance” to similar mines used by Iran.
Speaking to journalists at a 5th Fleet Base near Fujairah, UAE, US Navy commander Sean Kido stopped short of directly blaming Iran, AP reports.
Iran vehemently denies involvement.
Hook reiterated claims that the Trump administration wants to negotiate with Iran with a view to end Tehran’s nuclear program; curb its ballistic missile program; end support for terrorist groups and other militias in the Middle East, and halt Iran’s arbitrary detention of U.S. citizens.
“No one should be uncertain about our desire for peace or our readiness to normalize relations” with Iran, Hook said.
