June 2019 Gulf of Oman incident: Difference between revisions
to last version by Nice4What — not an improvement |
|||
Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
{{Infobox event |
{{Infobox event |
||
| title = June 2019 Gulf of Oman incident |
| title = June 2019 Gulf of Oman incident |
||
| image = |
| image = MV_Kokuka_Courageous_with_hull_damage_and_mine.png |
||
| image_size = 300px |
| image_size = 300px |
||
| image_upright = |
| image_upright = |
||
| image_alt = |
| image_alt = |
||
| caption = |
| caption = ''Kokuka Courageous'' after the fire, with damage shown on the left and the alleged unexploded [[limpet mine]] still attached on the right |
||
| time = |
| time = |
||
| duration = |
| duration = |
||
Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
| cause = |
| cause = |
||
| motive = |
| motive = |
||
| target = |
| target = [[Merchant ship]]s operated by companies based in: |
||
*{{flag|Japan}}{{efn|The ''Kokuka Courageous'' was [[Flag state|flagged]] in [[Panama]]}} |
|||
*''Front Altair'' |
*{{flag|Norway}}{{efn|The ''Front Altair'' was [[Flag state|flagged]] in the [[Marshall Islands]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/13/world/middleeast/oil-tanker-attack-gulf-oman.html|title=Tankers Are Attacked in Mideast, and U.S. Says Video Shows Iran Was Involved|first1=David D.|last1=Kirkpatrick|first2=Richard|last2=Pérez-Peña|first3=Stanley|last3=Reed|date=June 13, 2019|publisher=|accessdate=June 14, 2019|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>}} |
||
| participants = |
| participants = |
||
| outcome = |
| outcome = |
||
Line 50: | Line 51: | ||
==Incident== |
==Incident== |
||
[[File:June 2019 Gulf of Oman incident.jpg|The fire onboard tanker ''Front Altair'' being extinguished by an Iranian navy boat|thumb|right]] |
|||
[[File:Sailors aboard USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) render aid to the crew of the M V Kokuka Courageous. (48062823682).jpg|thumb|[[U.S. Navy]] sailors provide aid to the crew of ''Kokuka Courageous'' onboard {{USS|Bainbridge|DDG-96|6}}]] |
[[File:Sailors aboard USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) render aid to the crew of the M V Kokuka Courageous. (48062823682).jpg|thumb|[[U.S. Navy]] sailors provide aid to the crew of ''Kokuka Courageous'' onboard {{USS|Bainbridge|DDG-96|6}}]] |
||
[[File:Rescued crew of Front Altair Tanker in Jask port.jpg|thumb|Crew of ''Front Altair'', rescued by [[Islamic Republic of Iran Navy|Iranian navy]] and taken to [[Jask]] port]] |
[[File:Rescued crew of Front Altair Tanker in Jask port.jpg|thumb|Crew of ''Front Altair'', rescued by [[Islamic Republic of Iran Navy|Iranian navy]] and taken to [[Jask]] port]] |
||
Line 63: | Line 65: | ||
==Alleged responsibility== |
==Alleged responsibility== |
||
[[File:MV_Kokuka_Courageous_with_hull_damage_and_mine.png|thumb|right|''Kokuka Courageous'' after the fire, with damage shown on the left and the alleged unexploded [[limpet mine]] still attached on the right]] |
|||
[[File:Kokuka Courageous Limpet Mine Video.webm|thumb|Footage released by the [[United States Central Command|U.S. Central Command]] allegedly showing an [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|IRGC]] patrol boat removing an unexploded [[limpet mine]] from ''Kokuka Courageous'']] |
[[File:Kokuka Courageous Limpet Mine Video.webm|thumb|Footage released by the [[United States Central Command|U.S. Central Command]] allegedly showing an [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|IRGC]] patrol boat removing an unexploded [[limpet mine]] from ''Kokuka Courageous'']] |
||
U.S. Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]] said on the day of the incident that Iran was responsible for the attack. He based this assessment on "intelligence, the weapons used, the expertise needed" and "recent similar Iranian attacks on shipping".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Edward |title=Pompeo Says Intelligence Points to Iran in Tanker Attack in Gulf of Oman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/13/us/politics/oil-tanker-attack-pompeo.html |accessdate=June 13, 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=June 13, 2019}}</ref> The ''New York Times'' reported that experts believe that Iran would carry out such an attack to hit-back at the United States while maintaining enough ambiguity to avoid a direct counterattack.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/14/world/middleeast/gulf-oman-tanker-attack.html|title=Why Tanker Blasts in the Gulf of Oman Have Put the World on Edge|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=14 June 2019|accessdate=14 June 2019|author=David D. Kirkpatrick}}</ref> The Iranian government, in response, denied any and all responsibility and criticized the accusation.<ref name="rejects">{{Cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-tanker-idUKKCN1TE0ME|title=U.S. blames Iran for tanker attacks in Gulf of Oman, Iran rejects assertion|date=June 14, 2019|work=Reuters|access-date=June 14, 2019|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Guardian 13 June 2019">{{cite news |last1=Washington |first1=Patrick Wintour Julian Borger in |title=Mike Pompeo blames Iran for oil tanker attacks in Gulf of Oman |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/13/mike-pompeo-iran-gulf-oil-tanker-attacks |accessdate=June 13, 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=June 13, 2019}}</ref> Acting [[U.S. Secretary of Defense]] [[Patrick M. Shanahan|Patrick Shanahan]] remarked that the U.S. wanted to build an "international consensus" by declassifying and releasing intelligence.<ref>{{cite news |title=US looks to build 'international consensus' around tanker attacks it blamed on Iran |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-build-international-consensus-tanker-attacks-iran-interfered/story?id=63722041 |accessdate=14 June 2019 |work=ABC News |date=14 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref> |
U.S. Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]] said on the day of the incident that Iran was responsible for the attack. He based this assessment on "intelligence, the weapons used, the expertise needed" and "recent similar Iranian attacks on shipping".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Edward |title=Pompeo Says Intelligence Points to Iran in Tanker Attack in Gulf of Oman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/13/us/politics/oil-tanker-attack-pompeo.html |accessdate=June 13, 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=June 13, 2019}}</ref> The ''New York Times'' reported that experts believe that Iran would carry out such an attack to hit-back at the United States while maintaining enough ambiguity to avoid a direct counterattack.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/14/world/middleeast/gulf-oman-tanker-attack.html|title=Why Tanker Blasts in the Gulf of Oman Have Put the World on Edge|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=14 June 2019|accessdate=14 June 2019|author=David D. Kirkpatrick}}</ref> The Iranian government, in response, denied any and all responsibility and criticized the accusation.<ref name="rejects">{{Cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-tanker-idUKKCN1TE0ME|title=U.S. blames Iran for tanker attacks in Gulf of Oman, Iran rejects assertion|date=June 14, 2019|work=Reuters|access-date=June 14, 2019|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Guardian 13 June 2019">{{cite news |last1=Washington |first1=Patrick Wintour Julian Borger in |title=Mike Pompeo blames Iran for oil tanker attacks in Gulf of Oman |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/13/mike-pompeo-iran-gulf-oil-tanker-attacks |accessdate=June 13, 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=June 13, 2019}}</ref> Acting [[U.S. Secretary of Defense]] [[Patrick M. Shanahan|Patrick Shanahan]] remarked that the U.S. wanted to build an "international consensus" by declassifying and releasing intelligence.<ref>{{cite news |title=US looks to build 'international consensus' around tanker attacks it blamed on Iran |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-build-international-consensus-tanker-attacks-iran-interfered/story?id=63722041 |accessdate=14 June 2019 |work=ABC News |date=14 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref> |
||
Line 69: | Line 70: | ||
On June 13, the U.S. military released a video which it said shows members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard removing an unexploded mine from the side of ''Kokuka Courageous'' at 4.10pm local time.<ref name="unexploded">{{cite news |title=US says video shows Iran removing unexploded mine |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-48633016 |accessdate=June 14, 2019 |work=BBC |date=June 14, 2019}}</ref><ref>[https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/us-blames-iran-for-attacks-on-two-tankers-near-persian-gulf-20190614-p51xm3.html US releases video it says shows Iran's military recovering mine]</ref> The patrol boat shown in the video matched the model and dimensions of patrol boats used by the [[Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]], with an identical chevron pattern and center console.<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000006558872/iran-tanker-video.html?smid=pl-share|title=Did Iran Attack Ships in the Gulf? What the Evidence Shows.|date=14 June 2019|accessdate=14 June 2019|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|author1=David Botti|author2=Natalie Reneau|author3=Christiaan Triebert|author4=Nilo Tabrizy|author5=Malachy Browne}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48633016|quote=The small white patrol craft in the video is typical of the type used by Iran's IRGC (Revolutionary Guards) Navy in the Gulf.|title=Gulf of Oman tanker attacks: US says video shows Iran removing mine|date=14 June 2019|accessdate=15 June 2019|publisher=BBC}}</ref> Iranian officials denied the U.S. accusations as "baseless".<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran issues denial after US says video shows involvement in tanker attacks |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/us-says-video-shows-iran-was-involved-in-attack-on-oil-tanker-in-gulf-of-oman |accessdate=June 14, 2019 |work=The Straits Times |date=June 14, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Responding to the video, German Foreign Minister [[Heiko Maas]] remarked that "to make a final assessment, this is not enough for me".<ref>{{cite news |title=Germany: U.S video not enough to attribute blame over oil tanker attacks |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-attacks-germany-maas/germany-us-video-not-enough-to-attribute-blame-over-oil-tanker-attacks-idUSKCN1TF1SA |accessdate=14 June 2019 |work=Reuters |date=14 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref> |
On June 13, the U.S. military released a video which it said shows members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard removing an unexploded mine from the side of ''Kokuka Courageous'' at 4.10pm local time.<ref name="unexploded">{{cite news |title=US says video shows Iran removing unexploded mine |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-48633016 |accessdate=June 14, 2019 |work=BBC |date=June 14, 2019}}</ref><ref>[https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/us-blames-iran-for-attacks-on-two-tankers-near-persian-gulf-20190614-p51xm3.html US releases video it says shows Iran's military recovering mine]</ref> The patrol boat shown in the video matched the model and dimensions of patrol boats used by the [[Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]], with an identical chevron pattern and center console.<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000006558872/iran-tanker-video.html?smid=pl-share|title=Did Iran Attack Ships in the Gulf? What the Evidence Shows.|date=14 June 2019|accessdate=14 June 2019|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|author1=David Botti|author2=Natalie Reneau|author3=Christiaan Triebert|author4=Nilo Tabrizy|author5=Malachy Browne}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48633016|quote=The small white patrol craft in the video is typical of the type used by Iran's IRGC (Revolutionary Guards) Navy in the Gulf.|title=Gulf of Oman tanker attacks: US says video shows Iran removing mine|date=14 June 2019|accessdate=15 June 2019|publisher=BBC}}</ref> Iranian officials denied the U.S. accusations as "baseless".<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran issues denial after US says video shows involvement in tanker attacks |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/us-says-video-shows-iran-was-involved-in-attack-on-oil-tanker-in-gulf-of-oman |accessdate=June 14, 2019 |work=The Straits Times |date=June 14, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Responding to the video, German Foreign Minister [[Heiko Maas]] remarked that "to make a final assessment, this is not enough for me".<ref>{{cite news |title=Germany: U.S video not enough to attribute blame over oil tanker attacks |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-attacks-germany-maas/germany-us-video-not-enough-to-attribute-blame-over-oil-tanker-attacks-idUSKCN1TF1SA |accessdate=14 June 2019 |work=Reuters |date=14 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref> |
||
On June 14, the head of the company that owns ''Kokuka Courageous'', Yutaka Katada, stated that the crew members "are saying that they were hit by a flying object. They saw it with their own eyes."<ref name="unexploded"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Iran denies tanker attacks as tensions soar |url=https://www.afp.com/en/news/3954/iran-denies-tanker-attacks-tensions-soar-doc-1hi2461 |website=[[Agence France Presse]] |accessdate=14 June 2019}}</ref> |
On June 14, the head of the company that owns ''Kokuka Courageous'', Yutaka Katada, stated that the crew members "are saying that they were hit by a flying object. They saw it with their own eyes."<ref name="unexploded"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Iran denies tanker attacks as tensions soar |url=https://www.afp.com/en/news/3954/iran-denies-tanker-attacks-tensions-soar-doc-1hi2461 |website=[[Agence France Presse]] |accessdate=14 June 2019}}</ref> Katada stated that he believed the incident couldn't have been a torpedo attack, because the ship was hit above the waterline, but also clarified that his beliefs were "just an assumption or a guess."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dooley |first1=Ben |title=‘Flying Object’ Struck Tanker in Gulf of Oman, Operator Says, Not a Mine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/14/world/middleeast/oil-tanker-attack-gulf-oman.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=15 June 2019}}</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/japanese-ship-owner-contradicts-us-account-of-how-tanker-was-attacked/2019/06/14/7ea347d0-8eba-11e9-b6f4-033356502dce_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.34bbddd7f2eb Japanese ship owner contradicts U.S. account of how tanker was attacked]</ref> Also on June 14, the [[Tasnim News Agency]] reported that [[Hormozgan Province]]'s port director stated that early investigations indicated that the fires broke out due to technical reasons and that there is no proof that an external object hit either ship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13980324000337|title=Early Investigations into Oil Tankers Incidents Show Fire Started for Technical Problems|date=14 June 2019|accessdate=14 June 2019|publisher=[[Fars News Agency]]}}</ref> |
||
[[Trita Parsi]], head of the [[National Iranian American Council]] urged caution when assigning blame, citing a lack of evidence.<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/trump-blames-iran-tanker-attacks-let-s-be-skeptical-his-ncna1017591 Trump blames Iran for the tanker attacks. But let's be skeptical of his administration's pro-war bluster.]</ref> |
[[Trita Parsi]], head of the [[National Iranian American Council]] urged caution when assigning blame, citing a lack of evidence.<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/trump-blames-iran-tanker-attacks-let-s-be-skeptical-his-ncna1017591 Trump blames Iran for the tanker attacks. But let's be skeptical of his administration's pro-war bluster.]</ref> |
||
Line 81: | Line 82: | ||
[[File:Iranian limpet mine.jpg|thumb|An example Iranian limpet mine, seen in 2015.]] |
[[File:Iranian limpet mine.jpg|thumb|An example Iranian limpet mine, seen in 2015.]] |
||
U.S. officials have blamed the attacks on Iran,<ref name=":422"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/tankers-attacked-gulf-oman-us-ruling-iran-responsible/story?id=63685381|title=Two tankers attacked in Gulf of Oman, US not ruling out Iran is responsible|last=News|first=A. B. C.|website=ABC News|language=en|access-date=June 13, 2019}}</ref> with [[United States Secretary of State]] [[Mike Pompeo]] stating that the U.S. "would defend its forces and interests in the region".<ref name=":422"/> During an interview with [[Fox News]], Trump further asserted the blame on Iran, calling the country "a nation of terror".<ref>{{cite news |title='Iran did do it': Trump addresses tanker attacks, points to US military video of removing mine |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/06/14/iran-removed-mine-off-tanker-targeted-attack-us-says-video-release/1453595001/ |accessdate=14 June 2019 |work=USA Today |date=14 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs [[Adel Al-Jubeir]] agreed with Pompeo, saying "Iran has a history of doing this."<ref>{{cite news |title=Saudi Arabia agrees Iran was behind tanker attacks: Saudi minister |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-tankers-saudi/saudi-arabia-agrees-iran-was-behind-tanker-attacks-saudi-minister-idUSKCN1TE36X |accessdate=June 13, 2019 |work=Reuters |date=June 13, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The United Kingdom [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] also stated that they share the U.S. government's assessment that Iran is to blame for two attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, with British foreign minister [[Jeremy Hunt]] calling alleged Iran's actions "deeply unwise".<ref name="JPost">{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Saudis-UK-agree-with-US-assessment-that-Iran-behind-attacks-592506|title=Saudis, UK agree that Iran behind attacks, Iran denies involvement|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|date=June 14, 2019}}</ref> Iran's mission to the United Nations responded to the U.S. accusation by saying that the Iranian government "categorically rejects" the U.S. claim that it was responsible for the attacks and condemned it "in the strongest possible terms".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.apnews.com/d67714ab8ac344a3b3af19cca1c20192|title=Tankers struck near Strait of Hormuz; US blames Iran|website=Associated Press|date=June 13, 2019}}</ref> |
U.S. officials have blamed the attacks on Iran,<ref name=":422"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/tankers-attacked-gulf-oman-us-ruling-iran-responsible/story?id=63685381|title=Two tankers attacked in Gulf of Oman, US not ruling out Iran is responsible|last=News|first=A. B. C.|website=ABC News|language=en|access-date=June 13, 2019}}</ref> with [[United States Secretary of State]] [[Mike Pompeo]] stating that the U.S. "would defend its forces and interests in the region".<ref name=":422"/> During an interview with [[Fox News]], Trump further asserted the blame on Iran, calling the country "a nation of terror".<ref>{{cite news |title='Iran did do it': Trump addresses tanker attacks, points to US military video of removing mine |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/06/14/iran-removed-mine-off-tanker-targeted-attack-us-says-video-release/1453595001/ |accessdate=14 June 2019 |work=USA Today |date=14 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs [[Adel Al-Jubeir]] agreed with Pompeo, saying "Iran has a history of doing this."<ref>{{cite news |title=Saudi Arabia agrees Iran was behind tanker attacks: Saudi minister |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-tankers-saudi/saudi-arabia-agrees-iran-was-behind-tanker-attacks-saudi-minister-idUSKCN1TE36X |accessdate=June 13, 2019 |work=Reuters |date=June 13, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The United Kingdom [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] also stated that they share the U.S. government's assessment that Iran is to blame for two attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, with British foreign minister [[Jeremy Hunt]] calling alleged Iran's actions "deeply unwise".<ref name="JPost">{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Saudis-UK-agree-with-US-assessment-that-Iran-behind-attacks-592506|title=Saudis, UK agree that Iran behind attacks, Iran denies involvement|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|date=June 14, 2019}}</ref> Iran's mission to the United Nations responded to the U.S. accusation by saying that the Iranian government "categorically rejects" the U.S. claim that it was responsible for the attacks and condemned it "in the strongest possible terms".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.apnews.com/d67714ab8ac344a3b3af19cca1c20192|title=Tankers struck near Strait of Hormuz; US blames Iran|website=Associated Press|date=June 13, 2019}}</ref> |
||
Line 108: | Line 108: | ||
== See also == |
== See also == |
||
* [[Gulf of |
* [[May 2019 Gulf of Oman incident]] |
||
* [[List of shipwrecks in 2019]] |
* [[List of shipwrecks in 2019]] |
||
* [[Iran Air Flight 655]] |
* [[Iran Air Flight 655]] |
||
* [[Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict]] |
* [[Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict]] |
||
* [[Gulf of Tonkin incident]] |
|||
== Notes == |
== Notes == |
Revision as of 02:13, 17 June 2019
![]() | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (June 2019) |
![]() Kokuka Courageous after the fire, with damage shown on the left and the alleged unexploded limpet mine still attached on the right | |
Date | June 13, 2019 |
---|---|
Location | Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean |
Coordinates | 24°42′51″N 58°44′15″E / 24.7143°N 58.7374°E |
Target | Merchant ships operated by companies based in: |
Non-fatal injuries | 1 crew member wounded[2] |
Property damage | 2 merchant ships damaged[2] |
Suspects | ![]() |
![]() |
On June 13, 2019, two oil tankers were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz while transiting the Gulf of Oman. The Japanese Kokuka Courageous and Norwegian Front Altair were attacked, allegedly with limpet mines or flying objects, causing fire damage to both ships. American and Iranian military personnel responded to the attacks and were involved in rescuing crew members from the ships. The attacks took place a month after the similar May 2019 Gulf of Oman incident and on the same day that Ayatollah Khamenei met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe in Iran. Abe was acting as an intermediary between American President Donald Trump and Khamenei.[6][7]
Amid heightened tension between Iran and the United States, the United States blamed Iran for the attacks. Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom supported the United States' accusation.[4] Iran denied the accusation, blaming the United States for spreading disinformation and warmongering.[7]
Background
Two incidents occurred when tensions were high among Iran, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. On May 8, 2018, the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran, reinstating sanctions against their nuclear program[8] and starting a "maximum-pressure campaign" on Iran[9][10]. In response, Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, which could have a marked effect on the global oil market. The strait is a choke-point through which some 17.2 million barrels are transported each day, nearly 20 percent of global oil consumption.[11][12] Iran's oil production has hit a historic low as a result of sanctions; yet Saudi Arabia maintained supplies, leaving prices reasonably stable.[13] U.S. President Donald Trump offered to hold talks with Iran regarding their nuclear program and said he was willing to make a deal to remove sanctions and help fix their economy. However, he did not rule out the possibility of a military conflict with Iran.[14] Iran stated that the United States must first return to the nuclear deal before starting any new negotiations.[15]
During the Iran–Iraq War, Iraq started a "Tanker War" in the Persian Gulf in 1981 and Iran started to fight back in 1984.[16][17] In 1987 the U.S. launched Operation Earnest Will to protect Kuwaiti tankers.[18] On May 5, 2019, National Security Advisor John R. Bolton announced that the U.S. was deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and four B-52 bombers to the Middle East to "send a clear and unmistakable message" to Iran following intelligence reports of an Iranian plot to attack U.S. forces in the region.[19][20]
The incident occurred almost a month after the May 2019 Gulf of Oman incident, where an international investigation stated that four oil tankers from Norway, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were targeted through a sophisticated operation placing limpet mines perpetrated by a "state actor".[21] US intelligence blamed the attacks on Iran, which increased tensions.[22]
The two oil tankers damaged in this incident were Front Altair, owned by a Norwegian company, and the Japan-based Kokuka Courageous, which were carrying petroleum products from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Front Altair was carrying naphtha from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and was traveling from Ruwais in the United Arab Emirates to Taiwan. Kokuka Courageous was carrying methanol from Jubail, Saudi Arabia and Mesaieed, Qatar and was headed to Singapore.[23][24]
The incident occurred during a two day diplomatic visit by Japan's Prime Minister Shinzō Abe to Iran.[25] Abe was carrying a note from Donald Trump to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who rejected exchanging messages with Trump, stating "I do not see Trump as worthy of any message exchange, and I do not have any reply for him, now or in future". According to the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the targeted ships were carrying "Japan-related" cargo.[7][26]
Incident
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/June_2019_Gulf_of_Oman_incident.jpg/220px-June_2019_Gulf_of_Oman_incident.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Sailors_aboard_USS_Bainbridge_%28DDG_96%29_render_aid_to_the_crew_of_the_M_V_Kokuka_Courageous._%2848062823682%29.jpg/220px-Sailors_aboard_USS_Bainbridge_%28DDG_96%29_render_aid_to_the_crew_of_the_M_V_Kokuka_Courageous._%2848062823682%29.jpg)
On 13 June 2019 Front Altair and Kokuka Courageous were both transiting the Gulf of Oman heading southeast in international waters. According to a unsubstantiated claim by a U.S. official, while sailing through the Gulf, several Iranian vessels were observed by an American MQ-9 Reaper drone to approach the vicinity of the two merchant ships.[27] A surface to air missile was fired at the American drone, which missed its target.[27] According to the U.S. military, the missile was a modified SA-7 and was fired from Iran's mainland.[28] At some point subsequent to the incident with the drone, explosions occurred on both Front Altair and Kokuka Courageous. CPC Corporation, which was contracting Front Altair, reported that it may have been hit by a torpedo at around 04:00 GMT on June 13.[29][26] The hull of Kokuka Courageous was reportedly breached above the waterline on the starboard side.[30] According to the U.S. Navy, a distress call from Front Altair was received at 02:12 GMT (06:12 local time) and one from Kokuka Courageous at 03:00 GMT (07:00 local time).[31]
Both ships caught fire, but Frontline and Kokuka Sangyo (affiliated to Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company), the respective owners of the two vessels, reported that all crew members from both ships had successfully evacuated.[7] Iranian News Agency (IRNA) initially reported that Front Altair had sunk, but the statement was later denied by a Frontline spokesman.[32] Other reports suggested that the attacks may have involved limpet mines.[6][33] Iran reported that they had rescued all 44 crew members of both vessels and taken them to Iran.[33] However, the U.S. Navy responded to assist both vessels after the attack and reported having rescued some of the crew.[6][33] A Dutch vessel en route to Dubai rescued 21 people, mostly Filipinos, from Kokuka Courageous. This was confirmed by the Dutch shipping company Acta Marine. [34] The crew[clarification needed] members saw something suspicious on the hull, but could not identify it. After four hours the rescued crew was handed over to a "coalition ship".[citation needed] The 23 crew of Front Altair were first rescued by a nearby South Korean vessel, Hyundai Dubai. The South Korean Hyundai Merchant Marine Co confirmed the rescue and stated that the vessel later handed over the rescued crew members to an Iranian rescue boat.[35][36] There are reports that shortly after the evacuation of the crews the ships that rescued them were surrounded by military Iranian boats. It was demanded to hand over the mariners into their custody. One of the civilian rescue ships eventually complied with this request.[37]
U.S. officials said that the guided missile destroyer USS Bainbridge rescued 21 crew members from a tugboat that had rescued them from the burning Kokuka Courageous tanker.[38][39] The crew of 23 people of the Frontline's Front Altair was transferred to an Iranian navy vessel and disembarked at a local Iranian port, later being transferred to Bandar Abbas.[40][41] Neither oil tanker was sunk in the attack, despite significant damage.[6] The U.S. Navy later sent another destroyer USS Mason to the location of the incident.[42]
After the incident, Kokuka Courageous was towed to the port of Kalba in the United Arab Emirates. Dutch firm Boskalis was appointed to salvage both Kokuka Courageous and Front Altair.[43]
On 15 June the crew of Front Altair arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on an Iran Air flight from Bandar Abbas, Iran.[44] Robert Hvide Macleod, CEO of Frontline Management said "Everyone has been very well cared for in Iran, and everyone is in good shape".[45]
Alleged responsibility
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on the day of the incident that Iran was responsible for the attack. He based this assessment on "intelligence, the weapons used, the expertise needed" and "recent similar Iranian attacks on shipping".[46] The New York Times reported that experts believe that Iran would carry out such an attack to hit-back at the United States while maintaining enough ambiguity to avoid a direct counterattack.[47] The Iranian government, in response, denied any and all responsibility and criticized the accusation.[5][48] Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan remarked that the U.S. wanted to build an "international consensus" by declassifying and releasing intelligence.[49]
On June 13, the U.S. military released a video which it said shows members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard removing an unexploded mine from the side of Kokuka Courageous at 4.10pm local time.[31][50] The patrol boat shown in the video matched the model and dimensions of patrol boats used by the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with an identical chevron pattern and center console.[51][52] Iranian officials denied the U.S. accusations as "baseless".[53] Responding to the video, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas remarked that "to make a final assessment, this is not enough for me".[54]
On June 14, the head of the company that owns Kokuka Courageous, Yutaka Katada, stated that the crew members "are saying that they were hit by a flying object. They saw it with their own eyes."[31][55] Katada stated that he believed the incident couldn't have been a torpedo attack, because the ship was hit above the waterline, but also clarified that his beliefs were "just an assumption or a guess."[56][57] Also on June 14, the Tasnim News Agency reported that Hormozgan Province's port director stated that early investigations indicated that the fires broke out due to technical reasons and that there is no proof that an external object hit either ship.[58]
Trita Parsi, head of the National Iranian American Council urged caution when assigning blame, citing a lack of evidence.[59]
Analyst François Heisbourg stated “There’s a lot of suspicion in Europe about American motives. The maritime milieu is especially susceptible to manipulation — remember the Gulf of Tonkin.”[60] Analyst Anthony Cordesman raised "the possibility that ISIS (Daesh) carried out the attack as trigger to turn two enemies — the United States and Iran — against each other. Or you're watching Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates create an incident that they could then use to increase the pressure on Iran."[61]
Reactions
Political
After news of the incident, the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stated on Twitter, "Suspicious doesn't begin to describe what likely transpired this morning."[38] He described the attacks as a move by "the B-team"[c] to sabotage diplomacy.[62] Iran's United Nations mission issued a statement wherein it called on the United States and its regional allies to "put an end to mischievous plots and false flag operations in the region."[63]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Chitgar_Naval_Exhibition_-_Iranian_limpet_mine.jpg/220px-Chitgar_Naval_Exhibition_-_Iranian_limpet_mine.jpg)
U.S. officials have blamed the attacks on Iran,[38][64] with United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stating that the U.S. "would defend its forces and interests in the region".[38] During an interview with Fox News, Trump further asserted the blame on Iran, calling the country "a nation of terror".[65] Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir agreed with Pompeo, saying "Iran has a history of doing this."[66] The United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office also stated that they share the U.S. government's assessment that Iran is to blame for two attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, with British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt calling alleged Iran's actions "deeply unwise".[4] Iran's mission to the United Nations responded to the U.S. accusation by saying that the Iranian government "categorically rejects" the U.S. claim that it was responsible for the attacks and condemned it "in the strongest possible terms".[67]
Senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders called for the incident to be "fully investigated" while adding that a war with Iran "would be an unmitigated disaster for the United States, Iran, the region and the world.”[68] Fellow senator and presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren echoed Sanders saying she was “very concerned about a slide towards war with Iran”.[69]
The United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office released a statement that "It is almost certain that a branch of the Iranian military - the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - attacked the two tankers on 13 June. No other state or non-state actor could plausibly have been responsible."[70] Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said "our starting point is obviously to believe our U.S. allies" and the UK "will be making our own assessment soberly and carefully".[71] The Foreign office also accused Iran of orchestrating the May 2019 Gulf of Oman incident, stating "The Emirati-led investigation of the 12 May attack on four oil tankers near the port of Fujairah concluded that it was conducted by a sophisticated state actor. We are confident that Iran bears responsibility for that attack."[72] However, this position was challenged by opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, who questioned the existence of "credible evidence".[73]
The German government urged “a spiral of escalation must be avoided”.[60]
President of China Xi Jinping told his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani during a SCO meeting that China would promote ties with Iran regardless of developments from the incident.[74] Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned "against hasty conclusions, against attempts to lay the blame at the door of those we don't like".[75]
Paulo d'Amico, the chairman of the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners, expressed concerns for the safety of other vessels in the region and their crews.[33] As a result of the incident, shipping through the Strait has slowed, due to concerns of further damage.[76]
The Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit called on the United Nations Security Council to take action against those responsible and maintain maritime security.[77] After meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres at UN headquarters in New York on June 14, Aboul Gheit also stated “We believe that responsibilities need to be clearly defined..The facts will be revealed, I am sure, it’s only a matter of time.” Amid US accusations of Iran's involvement in the attack, Abuol Gheit said "My call to my Iranian — and I call them Iranian brothers: Be careful and reverse course because you’re pushing everybody towards a confrontation that no one would be safe if it happens."[72]
The United Nations Security Council met on June 13 in a closed door meeting regarding the incident.[78][needs context]
On June 14, 2019 Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide while expressing concern said "On the Norwegian side, we await the final results of the investigation" and "We encourage all actors to show restraint and avoid actions that contribute to further escalation" The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes the attacks increase the tension in the area. The Norwegian Maritime Directorate has gone out to warn five Norwegian ships that are in the Gulf of Oman.[45]
On June 15, 2019, Prime Minister of Japan Shinzō Abe "resolutely denounced" the attacks on both ships, though he did not point to any one country. His statement came following a telephone call with U.S. President Donald Trump.[79]
Economic
Following a month-long decrease, the price of oil initially increased by as high as 4% after the incident, then settled to an increase of 2%.[76][80][needs context]
The price of insurance for cargo ships has also risen in response to the event, which could increase oil prices.[76]
See also
- May 2019 Gulf of Oman incident
- List of shipwrecks in 2019
- Iran Air Flight 655
- Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict
- Gulf of Tonkin incident
Notes
- ^ The Kokuka Courageous was flagged in Panama
- ^ The Front Altair was flagged in the Marshall Islands[1]
- ^ Term coined by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to refer to John R. Bolton, Mohammad bin Salman, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Benjamin Netanyahu
References
- ^ Kirkpatrick, David D.; Pérez-Peña, Richard; Reed, Stanley (June 13, 2019). "Tankers Are Attacked in Mideast, and U.S. Says Video Shows Iran Was Involved". Retrieved June 14, 2019 – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ a b "Gulf of Oman tankers attacked: Live updates". www.cnn.com. June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ Washington, Reuters (June 14, 2019). "Saudi Arabia agrees Iran was behind tanker attacks, says Adel al-Jubeir". Reuters. Al-Arabiya. Reuters - Al-Arabiya. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
{{cite news}}
:|first1=
has generic name (help) - ^ a b c "Saudis, UK agree that Iran behind attacks, Iran denies involvement". The Jerusalem Post. June 14, 2019.
- ^ a b "U.S. blames Iran for tanker attacks in Gulf of Oman, Iran rejects assertion". Reuters. June 14, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Gambrell, Jon (June 13, 2019). "Tankers targeted near Strait of Hormuz amid Iran-US tensions". AP NEWS. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Pérez-Peña, Richard; Reed, Stanley; Kirkpatrick, David D. (June 13, 2019). "Tankers Attacked Again in Gulf of Oman, Raising Fears of Wider Conflict". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ "Trump Withdraws U.S. From 'One-Sided' Iran Nuclear Deal". The New York Times. May 8, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
- ^ "Maximum Pressure Campaign on the Regime in Iran". United States Department of State. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
- ^ Goldenberg, Ilan. "Maximum Pressure on Iran Means Maximum Risk of War". Foreign Policy. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
- ^ Dehghan, Saeed Kamali (July 5, 2018). "Iran threatens to block Strait of Hormuz over US oil sanctions". The Guardian. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ "Factbox: Strait of Hormuz – the world's most important oil artery". Reuters. June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ "Iran's Oil Production Has Hit Historic Lows As Saudis Take Market Share". Radio Farda. June 4, 2019.
- ^ Toosi, Nahal (May 9, 2019). "Trump to Iran: Call me, maybe". Politico.
- ^ Sanger, David E.; Wong, Edward; Erlanger, Steven; Schmitt, Eric (May 8, 2019). "U.S. Issues New Sanctions as Iran Warns It Will Step Back From Nuclear Deal". The New York Times. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ "The First Tanker War". www.historytoday.com. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
- ^ "The Tanker War". U.S. Naval Institute. May 1, 1988. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
- ^ Gambrell, Jon (June 14, 2019). "Oil tanker attacks echo Persian Gulf's 1980s 'Tanker War'". Associated Press. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ "Bolton: U.S. sending Navy strike group to Iran to send "clear message"". Axios. May 6, 2019.
- ^ "Israel passed White House intelligence on possible Iran plot". Axios. May 6, 2019.
- ^ Yee, Vivian (June 7, 2019). "UAE tanker attacks blamed on 'state actor'". BBC. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ "Iran news: Details of tanker "sabotage" murky as Trump warns Iran and U.S. casts first blame". CBS News. May 14, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ "The Latest: US officials believe threat from Iran not over". ABC News. June 13, 2019.
- ^ "US blames Iran for attacks on tankers in Gulf of Oman". Middle East Eye. June 13, 2019.
- ^ "Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meets Iranian leadership, tries to ease tensions with United States". South China Morning Post. June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ a b "Oil tankers on fire after 'torpedo' attack in Gulf of Oman". Sky News. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ a b "Iranians fired missile at US drone prior to tanker attack, US official says". CNN. June 14, 2019. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
- ^ "Iran tried to shoot down US Reaper drone that arrived on scene of oil tanker attacks: officials". FoxNews. June 15, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
- ^ "What we know about Gulf of Oman tanker 'attacks'". BBC. June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ Jaganathan, Jessica (June 13, 2019). "Bernhard Shulte says its tanker Kokuka Courageous damaged after 'suspected attack'". Reuters. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ a b c "US says video shows Iran removing unexploded mine". BBC. June 14, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ "Frontline spokesman denies IRNA report that Front Altair has sunk". Reuters. June 13, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Crews rescued after Gulf tanker explosions". June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ "Nederlands schip redt opvarenden". Telegraaf (in Dutch). June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ "The Latest: South Korea firm confirms rescue of oil tanker crew after reported attack". WNDU. June 13, 2019.
- ^ "Tanker crew detained by Iran after first being rescued by another vessel: US officials". Fox News. June 14, 2019.
- ^ "U.S. intel says Iran tried to pick up crews from tankers attacked in Gulf of Oman". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "U.S. official says "highly likely" Iran behind new tanker attacks in Gulf of Oman". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ "Bainbridge Answers Distress Call". U.S. Central Command. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ "Front Altair's crew unharmed and now in Iran: shipping firm". Reuters. June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ TV, Press (June 13, 2019). "Video shows crewmembers of a tanker hit by suspicious blast in Sea of Oman who were saved by Iranian rescue teams and transferred to Jask port. #SeaofOmanpic.twitter.com/XE2Nd5cynF". @PressTV. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ "US destroyer USS Mason en route to the scene of attacks in Gulf". Al Arabiya. June 14, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ "Blast-hit Kokuka tanker being towed toward UAE: operator". Reuters. June 14, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ Gambrell, Jon; Abuelgasim, Fay (June 15, 2019). "Crew members of targeted Norwegian-owned tanker now in Dubai". AP NEWS. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
- ^ a b "Angrepet i Omanbukta: Mannskapet på Front Altair har landet i Dubai (The attack in the Gulf of Oman: The crew of Front Altair have landed in Dubai)". VG (in Norwegian). Retrieved June 16, 2019.
- ^ Wong, Edward (June 13, 2019). "Pompeo Says Intelligence Points to Iran in Tanker Attack in Gulf of Oman". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ David D. Kirkpatrick (June 14, 2019). "Why Tanker Blasts in the Gulf of Oman Have Put the World on Edge". The New York Times. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ Washington, Patrick Wintour Julian Borger in (June 13, 2019). "Mike Pompeo blames Iran for oil tanker attacks in Gulf of Oman". The Guardian. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ "US looks to build 'international consensus' around tanker attacks it blamed on Iran". ABC News. June 14, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ US releases video it says shows Iran's military recovering mine
- ^ David Botti; Natalie Reneau; Christiaan Triebert; Nilo Tabrizy; Malachy Browne (June 14, 2019). Did Iran Attack Ships in the Gulf? What the Evidence Shows. The New York Times. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
{{cite AV media}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "Gulf of Oman tanker attacks: US says video shows Iran removing mine". BBC. June 14, 2019. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
The small white patrol craft in the video is typical of the type used by Iran's IRGC (Revolutionary Guards) Navy in the Gulf.
- ^ "Iran issues denial after US says video shows involvement in tanker attacks". The Straits Times. June 14, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ "Germany: U.S video not enough to attribute blame over oil tanker attacks". Reuters. June 14, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ "Iran denies tanker attacks as tensions soar". Agence France Presse. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ Dooley, Ben. "'Flying Object' Struck Tanker in Gulf of Oman, Operator Says, Not a Mine". The New York Times. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
- ^ Japanese ship owner contradicts U.S. account of how tanker was attacked
- ^ "Early Investigations into Oil Tankers Incidents Show Fire Started for Technical Problems". Fars News Agency. June 14, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ Trump blames Iran for the tanker attacks. But let's be skeptical of his administration's pro-war bluster.
- ^ a b Distrusting Both Iran and U.S., Europe Urges ‘Maximum Restraint’
- ^ ‘Japan dismisses US claim that Iran attacked tankers’
- ^ "Iran's Zarif: B-Team Moving to Sabotage Diplomacy - Politics news". Tasnim News Agency. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ ‘MISCHIEVOUS PLOT’: Iran accuses the US of LYING about the ‘suspicious’ attack on American-linked oil tanker and denies ordering ‘torpedo’ assault
- ^ News, A. B. C. "Two tankers attacked in Gulf of Oman, US not ruling out Iran is responsible". ABC News. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
{{cite web}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - ^ "'Iran did do it': Trump addresses tanker attacks, points to US military video of removing mine". USA Today. June 14, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia agrees Iran was behind tanker attacks: Saudi minister". Reuters. June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ "Tankers struck near Strait of Hormuz; US blames Iran". Associated Press. June 13, 2019.
- ^ Sanders Warns Trump That War With Iran Would Be a ‘Disaster’
- ^ Warren worried about ‘slide towards war with Iran’, says Trump needs to ‘come to Congress’ before taking military action
- ^ "Gulf of Oman attacks: UK statement". British Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP. June 14, 2019.
- ^ Milliken, David (June 14, 2019). "UK warns Iran over 'deeply unwise' attacks on oil tankers". Reuters. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
- ^ a b "The Latest: Arab League chief tells Iranians to 'be careful'". Associated Press. June 14, 2019.
- ^ "Corbyn challenges UK's Iran accusations". BBC. June 15, 2019. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
- ^ "Xi says China will promote steady ties with Iran". Reuters. June 14, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ "Russia says don't use tanker attacks to pressure Iran: RIA". Reuters. June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Attacks On Tankers In Gulf Of Oman Send Oil Prices Up, Sharply". NPR.org. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- ^ "U.S. calls attacks on commercial shipping 'unacceptable'". Reuters. June 13, 2019.
- ^ "U.S. to raise Mideast tanker attacks in U.N. Security Council: diplomats". Reuters. June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ "Abe denounces attacks on tankers near Strait of Hormuz". Japan Today. June 15, 2019. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
- ^ "Oil prices rise 2% after tanker attacks near Iran". Reuters. June 12, 2019.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)