Attack on oil tanker signals escalating “tanker war” between Iran and Israel

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The Iran-Israel rivalry in the western Indian Ocean appears to be escalating following an attack on an Israel-managed  commercial ship not far from Duqm island in Oman.</p>
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Two crew members of the ship managed by Zodiac Maritime, the U.K.-based company owned by Israel’s Ofer family were killed, Associated Press is reporting.</p>
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<em>The Israeli-operated MERCER STREET was attacked near Oman July 29, 2021</em></p>
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The London-based Zodiac said on its website Japanese owned ship, Mercer Street, was attacked about 152 nautical miles (280 km) northeast of the Omani port of Duqm, Reuters is reporting. </p>
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<a href="https://in.news.yahoo.com/israeli-managed-tanker-attacked-off-102829291.html">Two crew killed in attack on Israeli-managed tanker off Oman</a></p>
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The news agency citing Eikon's ship tracking said that the Mercer Street, a medium-size tanker, was headed towards Fujairah– a bunkering port and oil terminal in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The ship was coming from  Dar es Salaam, in Tanzania along the east African coast.</p>
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The Iran-Israel rivalry has sharpened following recent signs that Tehran, backed by the Biden administration,  could be re-accommodated into the international mainstream following the revival of an updated Iran nuclear deal. Besides, Iran is uncomfortable with Israel’s moves to acquire a niche in the Persian Gulf after opening embassies in the UAE, Oman and Bahrain following the Abraham accords.</p>
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The latest incident is part of a  mini “tanker war” between Tel Aviv and Tehran. The Times of Israel is reporting that  a UAE bound vessel  previously owned by Ofer’s Zodiac Maritime — was struck in the northern Indian Ocean.</p>
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In recent months, Israel and Iran have accused each other of attacking merchant ships.</p>
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<strong>Also read: </strong> <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/economy-news/reviving-the-port-of-berbera-why-india-and-the-uae-can-become-partners-in-the-western-indian-ocean-105500.html">Reviving the Port of Berbera: Why India and the UAE can become partners in the Western Indian Ocean</a></p>
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On February 26, the Israeli-owned MV Helios Ray, a Bahamian-flagged cargo ship, was attacked in the Gulf of Oman. Former Prime Minister  Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of attacking the ship.</p>
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<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-operated-ship-attacked-near-oman-amid-iran-tensions/">hip operated by Israeli-owned company attacked near Oman amid Iran tensions</a></p>
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Another Israeli-owned vessel also reportedly subjected to a missile attack in the Gulf of Oman in late March. Iranian forces were suspected to carrying out the attack.</p>
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But in March, the Wall Street Journal reported that Israel had targeted with mines and other weapons, at least 12 ships bound for Syria ferrying oil from Iran.</p>