State actor behind ‘sophisticated’ tanker attack: UAE

The United Arab Emirates told United Nations Security Council members on Thursday that attacks on four tankers off its coast on May 12 bore the hallmarks of a “sophisticated and co-ordinated operation,” most likely by a state actor.   

 The UAE did not say who it thought was behind the attacks, which also targeted vessels from Saudi Arabia and Norway.   

 The attacks required expert navigation of fast boats and trained divers who likely placed limpet mines with a high degree of precision on the vessels under the waterline to incapacitate but not sink them, according to the preliminary findings of the countries’ joint investigation.    “While investigations are still ongoing, these facts are strong indications that the four attacks were part of a sophisticated and coordinated operation carried out by an actor with significant operational capacity, most likely a state actor,” the three countries said in the document.   

 They believe it was the work of several teams of operatives, which co-ordinated the timed detonation of all four explosive charges within less than an hour.   

 The May 12 attacks targeted two Saudi tankers, an Emirati vessel and a Norwegian tanker, causing no casualties but fueling tensions between the United States and Iran during weeks of escalating rhetoric.   

 U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said on May 29 that the attacks were the work of “naval mines almost certainly from Iran.” Tehran denied the accusations.   
NEW YORK REUTERS June 6