Blinken Warns Iran 'There Will Be a Collective Response' After Deadly Mercer Street Attack
Earlier, an Israeli-managed merchant ship named Mercer Street came under a drone attack that killed two of its crew members who were from the UK and Romania. Although Israel was quick to accuse Iran for the incident, it was not until Sunday that the US agreed and placed blame on the Middle Eastern nation.
The US Department of State informed the American public on Monday that it will be working alongside allies to organize a response against Iran for the recent deadly attack on the Mercer Street commercial ship.
Antony Blinken, who serves as US secretary of state, revealed to reporters during a Monday briefing that the US is working with the UK, Israel, Romania and "other allies" to come up with a "collective response" to the Mercer Street attack that unfolded as the commercial vessel was transiting the Arabian Sea.
"We are in very close contact and coordination with the UK, Israel, Romania," Blinken informed reporters, underscoring that "there will be a collective response" to the incident.
However, he further acknowledged that he was unsure whether such a strike constituted as "anything new or augers anything one way or another for the new government [of Iranian President-elect Ebrahim Raisi]," as Iran has been involved in a "series" of similar actions "over many months, including against shipping."
"What it does say is that Iran continues to act with tremendous irresponsibility when it comes to - in this instance - threats to navigation, to commerce, to innocent sailors who are simply engaged in commercial transit in international waters," he added.
Blinken's remarks largely reiterated comments he offered through a Sunday release that issued blame on Iran, and indicated that the based upon "available information," all signs allegedly pointed Iran as the culprit. "We are confident that Iran conducted this attack, which killed two innocent people, using one-way explosive UAVs, a lethal capability it is increasingly employing throughout the region," the statement read.