Washington: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz discussed Iran’s alleged use of drones in the Middle East and the incident with the Mercer Street marine vessel, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a readout on Friday.
Late last month, the Zodiac Maritime operator, owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer, said that its Mercer Street tanker was attacked in the Gulf of Oman.
On August 1, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett claimed there was evidence of Iran’s involvement in the attack. The UK, as well as the United States, also claimed that Iran was responsible for the attack involving one or more drones.
Tehran has dismissed the allegations as groundless.