Iran: Rouhani says there is video of rocket attack on Iranian tanker

W/S Iranian President Hassan Rouhani enters press conference hall, Tehran
M/S Press conference
SOT, Hami Hamedi, Chief of Ruptly's Tehran bureau (Farsi): "Regarding the recent attack on the Iranian tanker, did you find out who has done that? And what will be your response in the future towards such acts against Iranian tankers and their security?"
Hassan Rouhani, Iranian president (Farsi): "Thank you very much. As you have mentioned, we, on Friday morning in the Red Sea, witnessed that one of our tankers, which first announced it, faced a problem, [it] was attacked, as we later announced. After that it became clear to us that this attack came from outside - meaning that a vessel or a boat launched a rocket, not just one rocket but some rockets towards our tanker and two of them hit the tanker. Hence, it is obvious so far that the attack was carried out by rockets and at least two rockets hit our tanker and this tanker contained a camera and the camera recorded the images. Based on the images of this camera, it is clear from which side this rocket was coming and how [it] hit the tanker. Pieces of this rocket inside the tanker were assessed and collected and we have seen them, however we have to wait until the tanker arrives to make more accurate evaluations. It is crystal clear that a sinister and wrong action was carried out in the region. We are assessing which government has a hand in this regard and a government had a hand in this issue undoubtedly. It is not a terrorist action, not an action carried by a person or a group, it is an action carried out by a government. But the issue [about] which government is [behind the action] or how the attack [was carried out], it is still too soon [to know] and we will inform the people as soon as we are provided with the accurate information, and any country [behind it] should expect consequences." *LOOSE TRANSLATION*
M/S Iranian ministers *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Hassan Rouhani, Iranian president (Farsi): "The reality is that all the countries in the region and in the world should know that creating insecurity in the region does not put pressure on Iran, but it means pressure on the security of shipping and on the world economy, and this is a wrong action. Therefore, the whole issue must be solved and we have also taken some actions for the security of our tankers and more actions will be taken." *LOOSE TRANSLATION*
W/S Press conference *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Hassan Rouhani, Iranian president (Farsi): "The Yemeni issue is important and if we reach the end of the war and achieve a ceasefire, one of the problems in the region and around Iran-Saudi Arabia relations will be solved." *LOOSE TRANSLATION*
M/S Press conference *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Hassan Rouhani, Iranian president (Farsi): "Turkey has some concerns regarding the north of Syria and we accept it, every country must have concerns about its security. We have no problems with the main part of this goal and Turkey's government is our friend, but we do not accept the way that they choose [to act], it is not a good way and there are better ways." *LOOSE TRANSLATION*
C/U Rouhani being filmed
M/S Journalists
W/S Rouhani leaves press conference
SCRIPT
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said the Iranian oil tanker 'Sabiti', which was reportedly damaged off the Saudi coast on Friday, was hit by at least two rockets, adding that the Iranian government has video footage proving the attack, speaking in Tehran, on Monday.
He also said that the government will take additional measures to ensure the security of Iranian-owned tankers.
The vessel was reportedly hit by two missiles, according to the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), but the origin of the rockets is yet to be determined. The company also denied initial reports quoting it as saying the missiles had originated in Saudi Arabia.
Addressing the issue of Turkey's military action in north-eastern Syria, Rouhani expressed concern about Turkey's decision, saying there were better alternative options.
The Iranian leader also commented on the situation in Yemen, saying that reaching a ceasefire would help improve Iran-Saudi relations.
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