Israel’s UN ambassador has filed an official letter of complaint to the Security Council, blaming Iran for an attack on an Israeli cargo ship last week.
Gilad Erdan, who is also the country’s ambassador to the United States, wrote to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, currently sitting as president on the Security Council.
The explosion in the Gulf of Oman struck the MV Helios Ray, resulting in holes on both side of the vessel.
Mr Erdan’s letter is quoted in the Jerusalem Post as reading: “Israel has repeatedly warned of Iran’s unceasing malign activities and has highlighted these violations in numerous calls to the international community and letters to the United Nations Security Council, providing concrete, verified and documented evidence of the Iranian regime’s reckless and illicit behavior in the Middle East and beyond…
“Repeated Iranian and Iranian-sponsored terrorist attacks at sea not only jeopardize the safety and security of international shipping in flagrant violation of international conventions and norms relating to maritime safety and navigation, but also constitute blatant and repeated violations of the United Nations Charter and of Security Council Resolutions."
He demanded that the council condemn the Iranian regime “for this attack and for destabilising the region.”
The ambassador’s comments come days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also blamed Iran for the attack.
As reported by AP, he told Israeli public broadcaster Kan: “It was indeed an act by Iran, that’s clear.”
“Iran is the greatest enemy of Israel, I am determined to halt it. We are hitting it in the entire region.”
Iranian officials have denied any responsibility for the blast.
