Netanyahu accuses Iran of blast in Israel vessel

Muscat: Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has alleged that Iran is behind the blast that happened last week on Friday on Israel's vehicle carrier AV Helios Ray, in the bay of Oman. He was speaking at an interview for an Israeli radio. Iran's foreign affairs ministry has denied the allegations.

The ship belongs to Tel Aviv-based Ray Shipping Limited company. Reports say that the blast in the ship happened en route from Dammam to Singapore, but details are yet to be revealed. An American security team found holes on the sides of the ship and sent it to Mina Rashid in Dubai for repairs. Haaretz daily reported that the Israeli defence team has left for Dubai to investigate the incident.

On Sunday, Israel's defence force head also alleged that Iran was behind the blast. But Iran's foreign affairs ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh responded that the allegation was against facts and lack authenticity.

Meanwhile, the United States (US) is ready for more nuclear talks with Iran, said a senior US administrative officer. He added that Iran's reluctance regarding the discussion is unfortunate. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh had tweeted that Iran is not interested in unofficial talks, which followed the US's response.

Iran wants the US to revoke sanctions first. After Donald Trump, the former president of the US, retreated from the nuclear deal, the ties between the two nations weakened. Brussels, the European Union's capital, had informed earlier that it is ready to host the talks. Now that the US is prepared for the talks, it all relies on Iran's reply.