Explosions aboard a pair of oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday heightened regional tensions with Iran in an already volatile showdown with Washington and sent energy prices soaring in jittery global markets.
“These attacks are a threat to international peace and security, a blatant assault on the freedom of navigation, and an unacceptable escalation of tension by Iran,” Pompeo said. The United States and its Persian Gulf allies, led by Saudi Arabia, have mounted a steady campaign of diplomatic isolation and economic punishment of Iran, which they blame for militancy in the Middle East.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Arab League’s secretary-general, warned there were sides seeking to “inflame the region, and practice a kind of dangerous blackmail of the international community.” Images depicted the Front Altair engulfed in a 15-mile plume of smoke that was captured by NASA satellites; later pictures showed more than a third of the deck scorched, and a video showed a raging fire in the ship’s center.
Possible use of naval mines to attack the tankers was one piece of information that led U.S. intelligence agencies to reach a preliminary conclusion that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was responsible for the alleged attacks, one of the officials said. The explosions occurred near the Strait of Hormuz, which serves as a crucial passageway for much of the oil from Gulf states. At its narrowest it measures a mere 21 nautical miles, yet in 2016 it ushered through some 18.5 million barrels of oil per day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Both ships, according to the Japanese government, were carrying “Japan-related” cargo, leading Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif to question the timing of Thursday’s apparent attacks.Meanwhile, Abe had brought a message from President Trump to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader. “We will defend our interests, but a war with Iran is not in our strategic interest, nor in the best interest of the international community,” said Army Lt. Col. Earl Brown, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East.Early last month, the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and its strike group of ships arrived in waters near the Persian Gulf in response to what U.S. officials said was intelligence suggesting Iran was preparing attacks.
who needs to attack Japan's tanker in time of PM Abe's visit to Iran?
If it is too stealthy, it is Mossad
When the criminal in charge suffers no consequences, he feels nothing is too evil. We had a good run.
Pompeo took a lot of his info from reports on the Gulf of Tonkin
one thing is for sure israel and saudi arabia want america to declare war on iran and they are getting it
Trump did it needs a war
Without evidence - npr you left it out
Crude was up a buck. Not soaring. Try the truth sometime.
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Oil tankers attacked again in Gulf of Oman amid Iran-U.S. tensionsTwo oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz were damaged in suspected attacks, an assault that left one ablaze and adrift as sailors were evacuated from both vessels and the U.S. Navy rushed to assist amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. There are reports that the damage on the ships are above the waterline and were sustained on the sides facing international waters. I love how the oil companies are working within hours after this event to raise prices at the pumps for gas that is already in the country. 🖕🖕🖕 Oil tankers attacked. Is it time for WAR?
Source: latimes - 🏆 11. / 82 Read more »
Iran responsible for attack on two tankers in Gulf of Oman: PompeoJUST IN: Sec. of State Mike Pompeo: 'It is the assessment of the United States government that the Islamic Republic of Iran is responsible for the attacks that occurred in the Gulf of Oman today.' NEW: Sec. of State Mike Pompeo says Iran is responsible for the attack on two commercial tanker ships sailing in international waters in the Gulf of Oman. What were was I? Oh yeah... I'm not falling for his lies.. I want 100% proof first.. They been asking for a war.. That way you can't Impeach a sitting President.
Source: ABC - 🏆 471. / 51 Read more »
Oil surges after report of tanker incident in Gulf of Oman near IranOil prices surged on Thursday after a unit of the United Kingdom's Royal Na... The situation is very serious and is a predictor of a world war that is killing and destruction, the main victim of Iran and its regime, and states that say that it is 'neutral' is not immune to damage and will suffer a lot of damage. Not a good news for Trump claiming Iran's behavior in the region has changed! He needs to keeps the oil price low for his 2020 re-election. The Iranian regime sponsoring terrorism is responsible for this attack
Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »
Pompeo blames Iran for apparent attack on two oil tankers in the Gulf of OmanPompeo blamed Iran for what he called a “blatant assault” that caused explosions aboard two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, again raising tensions in the region. But Pompeo is a liar, so. I'd wait for some proof. Stay in your country!
Source: latimes - 🏆 11. / 82 Read more »
Two tankers attacked in Gulf of Oman, US not ruling out Iran is responsibleTwo commercial tanker ships hit by apparent attacks in international waters in Gulf of Oman. While a U.S. official says it's too soon to make a determination whether Iran was responsible, the official adds, 'We’re not ruling anything out at this time.” I'll bet that Israel or the Saudi's hit that tanker in order to blame it on Iran. They want to see a confrontation of Iran versus the United States. I hope the White House stays out of it and does not see a need to help their buddies confront Iran. Any nonsmoking section left in oceans? Warmonger AmbJohnBolton is itching for a casus belli. This whole thing reeks of the Gulf of Tonkin.
Source: ABC - 🏆 471. / 51 Read more »
U.S. blames Iran for tanker attacks in Gulf of Oman, oil prices riseUPDATE: Iran's mission to the United Nations says it categorically rejects the U.S.'s 'unfounded claim' regarding Gulf of Oman tanker attacks. Read more: My guess is the Saudi’s. Why would Iran do this? Gulf of Tonkin 2.0. If Iran was going to attack anything it would be American and Saudi cargo ships. Not Norwegian and Japanese.
Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »