The recent attack on an Israeli-linked oil tanker in the Gulf has caused a stir in the international community. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused arch-foe Iran of carrying out the attack, which occurred approximately 300 nautical miles off the coasts of India and Oman. The Liberian-flagged product tanker, Campo Square, was hit by an airborne object, according to the Greek company that manages the vessel. Fortunately, the vessel and crew are safe and proceeding as planned, though there is minor damage to the ship.
Iran has not commented on the incident, but it has been engaged in a shadow war with Israel for years. Tehran has accused Israel of being behind a series of sabotage attacks and assassinations targeting its nuclear programme. Additionally, Iran and the West have been at odds over Tehran’s nuclear activity and its supply of arms for Russia’s war in Ukraine. In November, Israel and the United States blamed Iran for a drone strike on a tanker off the coast of Oman, which was operated by a company owned by Idan Ofer, Eyal’s brother.
Israel has long said it is willing to strike Iranian targets if diplomacy fails to curb Tehran’s nuclear or missile programmes. Talks between Iran and world powers to revive a 2015 nuclear deal have stalled since September of last year. Under the pact, abandoned by Washington in 2018 under then-US President Donald Trump, Tehran agreed to limit nuclear work in return for an easing of sanctions.
The recent attack on the oil tanker has raised tensions between Israel and Iran, and has sparked a discussion about the international freedom of navigation. It is unclear what will come of this incident, but it is certain that it will have an impact on the ongoing negotiations between Iran and world powers. It is also likely that this incident will lead to further security measures being taken to protect vessels in the region.