It seems that in the eyes of NBC News, the evil Iranian regime can do no wrong even as all the evidence points to their involvement in the sabotage (via explosives) of four oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. Despite U.S. warnings over a week ago about such attacks from Iran or its proxies, Monday's NBC Nightly News projected skepticism with anchor Lester Holt calling the explosions “a mysterious so-called sabotage attack.”
The network previously concocted a conspiracy theory that suggested the U.S. was trying to “provoke” an all-out with Iran on behalf of Israel with their preemptive warnings and fleet movements. But now, “the damage to a Norwegian oil tanker” was “one of a series of ships struck in mysterious attacks,” according to NBC chief foreign affairs correspondent and sympathizer Andrea Mitchell.
As if to cast doubt on the finding of U.S. intelligence, Mitchell noted that “Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today detouring to a European summit to share intelligence on Iran with skeptical allies.” To back that up, she played a soundbite of British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt saying they were “very worried about the risk of a conflict happening by accident with an escalation that is unintended really on either side.”
Mitchell again used European skittishness (and Iranian denials) to suggest the U.S. was jumping to conclusions about who was behind the attacks:
HOLT: Andrea, any indication who’s behind these attacks?
MITCHELL: Well, Iran said today that the attacks were alarming and regrettable. But after Pompeo's briefing to the Europeans, I talked to a diplomatic source who told me the group felt that they still need more information about what the attacks were, how it took place, and who is responsible. The President made it clear, if they believe that Iran is responsible, they’re going to respond to them.
Meanwhile, ABC’s World News Tonight didn’t shy away from admitting Iran was responsible. “[W]e've now been told initial assessment have determined it was likely Iran or Iranian proxies using explosives....Iran, of course, denying any involvement, but with four ships sabotaged, there was a level of sophistication,” reported chief global affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz.
“CBS News has learned U.S. investigators have determined Iran or groups backed by Iran were behind attacks on four tankers owned by U.S. allies off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. One was seen with a large dent in its stern,” confirmed CBS Evening News fill-in anchor John Dickerson.
Previously, NBC had accused the U.S. and Israel of being the destabilizing force in the Middle East and not Iran, which was one of the world’s largest sponsors of terrorism. The network even commiserated with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani against President Trump after the administration compared Iran to North Korea.
More recently, NBC was uninterested with the U.S. Air Force officer found to be an Iranian spy. They were more concerned about the U.S. taking part in a security conference targeting the authoritarian regime.
The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:
NBC Nightly News
May 13, 2019
7:06:57 p.m. EasternLESTER HOLT: And also in the Oval Office today, President Trump warned of major consequences if Iran is found responsible for a mysterious so-called sabotage attack against four oil tankers in the Middle East. NBC's Andrea Mitchell has details.
[Cuts to video]
ANDREA MITCHELL: New images tonight showing the damage to an Norwegian oil tanker, one of a series of ships struck in mysterious attacks. Including ships from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, both enemies of Iran, as they were near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical pathway for much of the world's oil supply. The Saudis are calling it sabotage, President Trump issuing a warning if Iran is responsible.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: It's going to be a bad problem for Iran if something happens, I can tell you that. They are not going to be happy.
MITCHELL: As tensions rise with Iran, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today detouring to a European summit to share intelligence on Iran with skeptical allies.
JEREMY HUNT (British foreign secretary): We are very worried about the risk of a conflict happening by accident with an escalation that is unintended really on either side.
MITCHELL: Last week, the U.S. sending a carrier group to the region as a show of force.
HALLIE JACKSON (to Trump): Are we going to war with Iran? Are you seeking regime change there?
TRUMP: We'll see what happens with Iran. If they do anything, it would be a very bad mistake.
[Cuts back to live]
HOLT Andrea joins us now. Andrea, any indication who’s behind these attacks?
MITCHELL: Well, Iran said today that the attacks were alarming and regrettable. But after Pompeo's briefing to the Europeans, I talked to a diplomatic source who told me the group felt that they still need more information about what the attacks were, how it took place, and who is responsible. The President made it clear, if they believe that Iran is responsible, they’re going to respond to them.
HOLT: All right. Andrea, thank you.
