Two more oil tankers attacked in Gulf of Oman, U.S. Navy says
Two more oil tankers attacked in Gulf of Oman, U.S. Navy says
These ships were underway, not in port. We assumed Iran was responsible for the first attacks. But after this round, perhaps not. Hopefully we find out.Two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman came under suspected attack early Thursday amid soaring tensions between the United States and Iran.
A Japanese-owned ship was targeted just as Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, wrapped up a high-stakes visit to Tehran to help cool hostilities in the region and potentially mediate U.S.-Iran talks.
The attack appeared timed to undermine those efforts, which Abe had called “a major step forward toward securing peace and stability in this region,” Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported.
Both Iran and the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain said they were assisting the two ships, whose crews were evacuated safely.
A second vessel, owned by Norway’s Frontline, was on fire and adrift in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, a company spokesman told Norwegian media.
The Japanese-owned ship, which was carrying methanol, suffered damage to its hull, a company statement said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Thursday on Twitter that the attack took place while Abe was meeting with Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, for “extensive and friendly talks.”
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Originally Posted by Peter1469
