After UK's maritime security agency on Wednesday said the suspected hijacking of Panama-flagged MV Asphalt Princess in the Gulf of Oman had ended, the US administration said it was seized by Iranian personnel.

"We can confirm that personnel have left the Panama-flagged Asphalt Princess, this commercial vessel that was seized yesterday. We believe that these personnel were <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-respond-to-any-adventurism-uk-summons-iranian-ambassador-over-tanker-attack-402439">Iranian</a>," US State Department spokesman Ned Price said.

Watch:

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The State Department official however added that the US government was not in a position to confirm at this time adding that NAVCENT [United States Naval Forces Central Command] and DoD [Department of Defence] may have more information.

Oman had said the Asphalt Princess was involved in&nbsp;a&nbsp;"hijacking incident in international waters", just days after two crew members were killed after a blast rocked&nbsp;MT Mercer Street tanker off Oman as US and Israeli&nbsp;officials said it was a suspected drone attack.

Oman deployed its Air Force and Navy around the Asphalt Princess as the crisis deepened, however, UK's maritime trade securuty agency in a tweet said "Boarders have left the vessel. Vessel is safe. Incident complete." &nbsp;

The UK agency had earlier categorised the incident as a "potential hijack" as the ship was headed towards the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;

According to reports, shipping industry intelligence site Lloyd's List had said armed men had boarded the ship and ordered it to sail to Iran.

However, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh dismissed the report, saying: "Reaffirming our strong commitment to regional stability and maritime security, Iran stands ready to offer assistance in case of any maritime accidents."&nbsp;

Iran earlier had also denied involvment in the MV&nbsp;Mercer Street blast which the US and Israel&nbsp;blamed on an Iranian drone.

Israel said Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was behind the incident pinning it on Saeed Ara Jani who Israel said is the head of the IRGC's UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) Command and the "man that is personally responsible for the terror attacks in the Gulf of Oman."

(With inputs from Agencies)

After UK's maritime security agency on Wednesday said the suspected hijacking of Panama-flagged MV Asphalt Princess in the Gulf of Oman had ended, the US administration said it was seized by Iranian personnel.

After UK's maritime security agency on Wednesday said the suspected hijacking of Panama-flagged MV Asphalt Princess in the Gulf of Oman had ended, the US administration said it was seized by Iranian personnel. "We can confirm that personnel have left the Panama-flagged Asphalt Princess, this commercial vessel that was seized yesterday. We believe that these personnel were Iranian," US State Department spokesman Ned Price said. Watch: The State Department official however added that the US government was not in a position to confirm at this time adding that NAVCENT [United States Naval Forces Central Command] and DoD [Department of Defence] may have more information. Oman had said the Asphalt Princess was involved in a "hijacking incident in international waters", just days after two crew members were killed after a blast rocked MT Mercer Street tanker off Oman as US and Israeli officials said it was a suspected drone attack. Oman deployed its Air Force and Navy around the Asphalt Princess as the crisis deepened, however, UK's maritime trade securuty agency in a tweet said "Boarders have left the vessel. Vessel is safe. Incident complete." The UK agency had earlier categorised the incident as a "potential hijack" as the ship was headed towards the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports, shipping industry intelligence site Lloyd's List had said armed men had boarded the ship and ordered it to sail to Iran. However, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh dismissed the report, saying: "Reaffirming our strong commitment to regional stability and maritime security, Iran stands ready to offer assistance in case of any maritime accidents." Iran earlier had also denied involvment in the MV Mercer Street blast which the US and Israel blamed on an Iranian drone. Israel said Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was behind the incident pinning it on Saeed Ara Jani who Israel said is the head of the IRGC's UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) Command and the "man that is personally responsible for the terror attacks in the Gulf of Oman." (With inputs from Agencies)

We believe Iranians seized Asphalt Princess tanker: US

As Israel blamed Iran for the attack on a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deliberate-targeted-uk-us-believe-iran-is-responsible-for-oman-oil-tanker-attack-402271">tanker</a> managed by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer, Britain on Monday summoned &nbsp;Iran's ambassador over the incident which took place off the coast of Oman.

One British and Romanian national were killed during the&nbsp;attack on Mercer Street.

The British government said the&nbsp;Iranian ambassador to the UK&nbsp;Mohsen Baharvand&nbsp;was summoned in response to the "unlawful attack" committed on MV Mercer Street.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-tanker-attack-uk-and-us-blame-iran-for-deadly-ship-attack-402395/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Vessels must be allowed to navigate freely in accordance with international law, the British government said.

Meanwhile, Iran warned against any "adventurism" amid tensions with the US and Britain who backed the Israeli government as Iran lashed out saying Israel "must stop such baseless accusations".

US and British officials said it appeared to be a drone strike as the Biden administration promised "appropriate response".

"Iran will not hesitate to protect its security and national interests, and will immediately and decisively respond to any possible adventurism," the foreign ministry said.

British foreign secretary Dominic Raab said the attack was a "clear violation of international law by Iran" adding that the UK was looking at a "concerted response" over the "unacceptable attack"

Iran however asserted that accusations by the UK and US governments were "baseless" and asked for evidence to support the claims. The latest incident comes amid recent reports of Iranian ships being attacked including the freighter Saviz in April and a cargo ship in the Mediterranean which Iran blamed on Israel.

Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid however blasted&nbsp;Israel saying, "Iran is not just an Israeli problem, but an exporter of terrorism," as the two sides traded accusations.

The Mercer Street ship was headed to Fujairah in UAE from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) had declared earlier that the attack was not an act of piracy.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration was working on "next steps" and consulting with governments inside the region to ensure "appropriate response which will be forthcoming".

(With inputs from Agencies)

As Israel blamed Iran for the attack on a tanker managed by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer, Britain on Monday summoned Iran's ambassador over the incident which took place off the coast of Oman.

As Israel blamed Iran for the attack on a tanker managed by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer, Britain on Monday summoned Iran's ambassador over the incident which took place off the coast of Oman. One British and Romanian national were killed during the attack on Mercer Street. The British government said the Iranian ambassador to the UK Mohsen Baharvand was summoned in response to the "unlawful attack" committed on MV Mercer Street. Watch: Vessels must be allowed to navigate freely in accordance with international law, the British government said. Meanwhile, Iran warned against any "adventurism" amid tensions with the US and Britain who backed the Israeli government as Iran lashed out saying Israel "must stop such baseless accusations". US and British officials said it appeared to be a drone strike as the Biden administration promised "appropriate response". "Iran will not hesitate to protect its security and national interests, and will immediately and decisively respond to any possible adventurism," the foreign ministry said. British foreign secretary Dominic Raab said the attack was a "clear violation of international law by Iran" adding that the UK was looking at a "concerted response" over the "unacceptable attack" Iran however asserted that accusations by the UK and US governments were "baseless" and asked for evidence to support the claims. The latest incident comes amid recent reports of Iranian ships being attacked including the freighter Saviz in April and a cargo ship in the Mediterranean which Iran blamed on Israel. Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid however blasted Israel saying, "Iran is not just an Israeli problem, but an exporter of terrorism," as the two sides traded accusations. The Mercer Street ship was headed to Fujairah in UAE from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) had declared earlier that the attack was not an act of piracy. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration was working on "next steps" and consulting with governments inside the region to ensure "appropriate response which will be forthcoming". (With inputs from Agencies)

Will respond to any adventurism: UK summons Iranian ambassador over tanker attack

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We believe Iranians seized Asphalt Princess tanker: US

Will respond to any adventurism: UK summons Iranian ambassador over tanker attack