Iran Calls Reported Oil Tanker Attack in Gulf of Oman 'Suspicious'

On Thursday morning, reports emerged that two tankers were damaged near the Strait of Hormuz. It comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East and just a month after four vessels were affected in a similar incident off the Emirati coast.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has seemingly hinted that Thursday's reported attack on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman had something to do with Japan's efforts to advance the peace process in the Middle East.

"Reported attacks on Japan-related tankers occurred while PM Shinzo Abe was meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei for extensive and friendly talks," Zarif tweeted.

"'Suspicious' doesn't begin to describe what likely transpired this morning," he added.

Reported attacks on Japan-related tankers occurred while PM @AbeShinzo was meeting with Ayatollah @khamenei_ir for extensive and friendly talks.

Suspicious doesn't begin to describe what likely transpired this morning.

Iran's proposed Regional Dialogue Forum is imperative.

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) 13 июня 2019 г.

Iran's government spokesman, Ali Rabei, said Tehran was ready for regional cooperation to ensure the security of strategic waterways. "All countries in the region should be careful not to fall in the trap of those who benefit from regional insecurity," he said.

On Thursday, two oil tankers operated by shipping companies Frontline and Bernhard Schulte were damaged in a suspected attack near the Strait of Hormuz, the most important oil artery in the world.

No casualties have been reported; the Bahrain-based US Navy 5th Fleet said it was assisting the tanker, while Iranian rescuers, according to local media, have saved and transported 44 crew members to an Iranian port.

Japan's Trade Ministry said that the two tankers were carrying "Japan-related" cargo, without providing further details.

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is visiting Iran as part of his effort to reduce tensions between the Islamic Republic and the United States. Abe noted on Wednesday that he and Iranian President Rouhani had 'bluntly discussed' how to reduce Iran-US tensions.

A similar yet-unsolved incident took place in the Gulf of Oman in mid-May, when four commercial vessels − among them two Saudi oil tankers − were damaged by limpet mines. UAE investigators blamed the attack on a "state actor" but failed to identify the culprit.

The United States, which is embroiled in an escalating war of words with Iran, was quick to accuse the Islamic Republic of orchestrating the attack, which the latter denied.