JERUSALEM, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said on Monday that Iran has been stepping up its aggression in the Middle East and called for "action against Iran" over its alleged attack on an Israeli oil tanker last week.

In a speech during a plenum session of the Knesset (parliament), Gantz addressed the deadly drone attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman last week.

Iran has denied any involvement in the attack on the Israeli-managed ship, but security officials in Israel, Britain and the United States have estimated Iran is behind the assault.

"Iran's aggression in the region in general, the maritime front in particular, is escalating," Gantz said.

The attack on the oil tanker Mercer Street, which killed two crew members, was against international law and human morals, he noted, adding that "this is exactly the reason why we must act right now against Iran."

He said that Iran poses "a tangible and immediate threat" to the region, warning that Israel has "a variety of tools and options to protect its citizens and we'll settle the score with whoever seeks to hurt us."

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that Iran was behind the recent attack. Enditem

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