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US 'blames Iran' for damage to tankers in Gulf of Oman US 'blames Iran' for damage to tankers in Gulf of Oman
(about 1 hour later)
US investigators believe Iran or groups it supports used explosives to damage four ships off the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday, media reports say. US investigators believe Iran or groups it supports used explosives to damage four ships off the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, media reports say.
Military experts were reportedly sent to investigate the incident and found a large hole in each of the tankers.Military experts were reportedly sent to investigate the incident and found a large hole in each of the tankers.
No evidence has emerged to show that Iran was involved. The affected countries are yet to assign blame.No evidence has emerged to show that Iran was involved. The affected countries are yet to assign blame.
The incident has increased tensions between Iran, which borders the nearby Strait of Hormuz, and the US.The incident has increased tensions between Iran, which borders the nearby Strait of Hormuz, and the US.
About a fifth of oil that is consumed globally passes through the strait. Last month, Iran threatened to "close" it if it was prevented from using the waterway.About a fifth of oil that is consumed globally passes through the strait. Last month, Iran threatened to "close" it if it was prevented from using the waterway.
This followed a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major importers of Iranian oil.This followed a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major importers of Iranian oil.
The team of US military investigators discovered large holes in all four of the affected ships and believe they were caused by explosive charges, the Associated Press reports, quoting an unnamed official. They did not explain how the damage was linked to Iran.The team of US military investigators discovered large holes in all four of the affected ships and believe they were caused by explosive charges, the Associated Press reports, quoting an unnamed official. They did not explain how the damage was linked to Iran.
CBS carried a similar report quoting unnamed US officials.CBS carried a similar report quoting unnamed US officials.
What do we know about the 'sabotage'?What do we know about the 'sabotage'?
Few details have been released about the incident, which is said to have taken place at about 06:00 (02:00 GMT) on Sunday within UAE territorial waters in the Gulf of Oman, east of the emirate of Fujairah.Few details have been released about the incident, which is said to have taken place at about 06:00 (02:00 GMT) on Sunday within UAE territorial waters in the Gulf of Oman, east of the emirate of Fujairah.
The UAE foreign ministry said four commercial ships had been targeted in a "sabotage attack" near Fujairah port, just outside the Strait of Hormuz.The UAE foreign ministry said four commercial ships had been targeted in a "sabotage attack" near Fujairah port, just outside the Strait of Hormuz.
There were no casualties but Saudi Arabia said two of its ships had suffered "significant damage".There were no casualties but Saudi Arabia said two of its ships had suffered "significant damage".
The country's energy minister, Khalid al-Falih, said one of the tankers had been on its way to be loaded with Saudi oil which was to be delivered to customers in the US.The country's energy minister, Khalid al-Falih, said one of the tankers had been on its way to be loaded with Saudi oil which was to be delivered to customers in the US.
Another damaged tanker was Norwegian-registered, while the fourth was reportedly UAE-flagged.Another damaged tanker was Norwegian-registered, while the fourth was reportedly UAE-flagged.
Saudi TV has shown images of the damaged Saudi ships, and a picture released by the UAE shows a Norwegian-flagged vessel, Andrea Victory, with damage to its hull.Saudi TV has shown images of the damaged Saudi ships, and a picture released by the UAE shows a Norwegian-flagged vessel, Andrea Victory, with damage to its hull.
Thome Ship Management, a Norwegian firm which manages the ship, said in a statement it had been "struck by an unknown object on the waterline".Thome Ship Management, a Norwegian firm which manages the ship, said in a statement it had been "struck by an unknown object on the waterline".
A deliberate attempt to inflame tensions?
Compared to previous attacks on shipping in the Middle East - the USS Cole in 2000, the Limburg tanker in 2002 and more recent attacks off Yemen - the damage done to four tankers off the UAE coast on Sunday is minimal.
There has been no oil spillage, no flames and no casualties. But the timing is both suspicious and dangerous.
Whoever carried out this attack could hardly have been unaware of the rising tensions in the Gulf, with the US dispatching additional forces to the region. It would appear that the anonymous culprit was deliberately trying to ratchet up that tension, possibly provoking a conflict.
While Saudi Arabia and the UAE have stopped short of blaming their adversary, Iran, US officials have reportedly said that is where their suspicions lie. But Iran has condemned the attack as "dreadful" and a parliamentary spokesman said Iranian suspicions fall on Israel.
What has Iran said?What has Iran said?
Iran has called for a full investigation into Sunday's incident which it described as "worrisome".Iran has called for a full investigation into Sunday's incident which it described as "worrisome".
On Monday, US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran. "If they do anything, it would be a very bad mistake," he said at the White House. "If they do anything they will suffer greatly."On Monday, US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran. "If they do anything, it would be a very bad mistake," he said at the White House. "If they do anything they will suffer greatly."
But Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was forthright in his response - suggesting the country was "too great to be intimidated by anyone".But Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was forthright in his response - suggesting the country was "too great to be intimidated by anyone".
"God willing we will pass this difficult period with glory and our heads held high, and defeat the enemy," he said in a meeting with clerics late on Monday."God willing we will pass this difficult period with glory and our heads held high, and defeat the enemy," he said in a meeting with clerics late on Monday.
What's the background?What's the background?
The US has previously warned that "Iran or its proxies" could be targeting maritime traffic in the region and, in recent days, deployed warships to counter what it called "clear indications" of threats from the country.The US has previously warned that "Iran or its proxies" could be targeting maritime traffic in the region and, in recent days, deployed warships to counter what it called "clear indications" of threats from the country.
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has also updated the military's plans for an Iranian attack on US forces there, the New York Times reports. Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan has also updated the military's plans for an Iranian attack on US forces there, the New York Times reports.
Iran dismissed the allegation that it could be targeting maritime traffic as nonsense.Iran dismissed the allegation that it could be targeting maritime traffic as nonsense.
Meanwhile, Spain has recalled a frigate that was deployed alongside a US aircraft carrier because of the rising tensions in the region.Meanwhile, Spain has recalled a frigate that was deployed alongside a US aircraft carrier because of the rising tensions in the region.
"For the moment the frigate Mendez Nunez has left the combat group," a defence ministry spokesman told the AFP news agency. "It's a temporary withdrawal... as long as the American aircraft carrier is in this zone.""For the moment the frigate Mendez Nunez has left the combat group," a defence ministry spokesman told the AFP news agency. "It's a temporary withdrawal... as long as the American aircraft carrier is in this zone."