June 2019 Gulf of Oman incident

Last updated

June 2019 Gulf of Oman incident
Part of the 2019–2021 Persian Gulf crisis
MV Kokuka Courageous with hull damage and mine.png
Kokuka Courageous after the fire, with damage shown on the left and the alleged unexploded limpet mine still attached on the right
DateJune 13, 2019 (2019-06-13)
Location Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean
Coordinates 25°28′59″N57°32′35″E / 25.483°N 57.543°E / 25.483; 57.543
Target Merchant ships Kokuka Courageous [lower-alpha 1] and Front Altair [lower-alpha 2] 1 American drone aircraft [2]
Non-fatal injuries1 crew member wounded [3]
Property damage2 merchant ships damaged [3]
SuspectsFlag of Iran.svg  Iran (alleged by the United States, and supported by Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the United Kingdom; denied by Iran and owner of Japanese ship) [4] [5] [6]
June 2019 Gulf of Oman incident

On 13 June 2019, two oil tankers were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz while they transited the Gulf of Oman. The Kokuka Courageous, flagged in Panama and operated by a company based in Japan, and Front Altair, flagged in Marshall Islands and operated by a company based in Norway, were attacked, allegedly with limpet mines or flying objects, sustaining fire damage. American and Iranian military personnel responded and rescued crew members. The attacks took place a month after the similar May 2019 Gulf of Oman incident and on the same day, Iranian Supreme Leader Iran Ali Khamenei met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe in Iran. Abe was acting as an intermediary between US President Donald Trump and Khamenei. [7] [8]

Contents

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. [5] Germany has stated that there is "strong evidence" that Iran was responsible for the attacks, [9] and Japan has asked for more proof of Iran's culpability. [10] Iran denied the accusation, blaming the United States for spreading disinformation and warmongering. [8] In response to the incident, the United States announced on 17 June the deployment of 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East. [11]

Background

The incident occurred when tensions were high among Iran, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. On 8 May 2018, the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran, reinstating sanctions against their nuclear program [12] and starting a "maximum-pressure campaign" on Iran. [13] [14] 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. [15] [16] Iran's oil production has hit a historic low as a result of sanctions; yet Saudi Arabia maintained supplies, leaving prices reasonably stable. [17] According to the BBC, U.S. sanctions against Iran "have led to a sharp downturn in Iran's economy, pushing the value of its currency to record lows, quadrupling its annual inflation rate, driving away foreign investors, and triggering protests." [18] 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. [19] Iran stated that the United States must first return to the nuclear deal before starting any new negotiations. [20]

During the Iran–Iraq War, Iraq started a "Tanker War" in the Persian Gulf in 1981. Iran started to fight back in 1984 [21] [22] when Iraq ramped up its attacks on Iranian tankers. [23] In 1987 the U.S. launched Operation Earnest Will to protect Kuwaiti tankers against Iranian attacks. [23] [24] On 5 May 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. [25] [26] On 10 May 2019, The Pentagon announced the deployment of USS Arlington and a battery of Patriot missiles to join their military forces in the Gulf of Oman region. [27]

The June 2019 Gulf of Oman incident occurred approximately one month after the May 2019 Gulf of Oman incident, after which an international investigation concluded that four oil tankers from Norway, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates had been targeted through a sophisticated operation placing limpet mines perpetrated by a "state actor". [28] U.S. intelligence blamed the attacks on Iran, which increased tensions. [29]

The two oil tankers damaged in this incident were Front Altair, owned by a Norwegian company, and the Japan-based Kokuka Courageous. The tankers 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. [30] [31]

The incident occurred during a two-day diplomatic visit by Japan's Prime Minister Shinzō Abe to Iran. [32] Abe was carrying a note from Donald Trump to the Supreme Leader of Iran 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. [8] [33]

Incident

U.S. Navy sailors provide aid to the crew of Kokuka Courageous onboard USS Bainbridge Sailors aboard USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) render aid to the crew of the M V Kokuka Courageous. (48062823682).jpg
U.S. Navy sailors provide aid to the crew of Kokuka Courageous onboard USS Bainbridge

On 13 June 2019, Front Altair and Kokuka Courageous were both transiting the Gulf of Oman heading southeast in international waters. According to the U.S. Navy, a distress call from Front Altair was received at 03:12 GMT (06:12 local time) following an explosion. [34] Eight minutes later, a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone arrived at the site of Front Altair, observing the ship on fire. [35] According to a U.S. official, Iranian vessels were observed by the American drone to approach the two merchant ships. [36] According to the U.S. military, at 03:45 GMT (06:45 local time), a modified SA-7 surface to air missile was fired at the American drone, missing its target by approximately 1 km (0.62 mi). [2] [35] Subsequent to the incident with the drone, an explosion occurred on Kokuka Courageous. According to the U.S. Navy, a distress call from Kokuka Courageous was received at 04:00 GMT (07:00 local time). [34] CPC Corporation, which was contracting Front Altair, reported that it may have been hit by a torpedo at around 04:00 GMT on 13 June. [33] [37] The hull of Kokuka Courageous was reportedly breached above the waterline on the starboard side. [38]

Both ships caught fire,[ dubious – discuss ] 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. [8] Iranian News Agency (IRNA) initially reported that Front Altair had sunk, but the statement was later denied by a Frontline spokesman. [39] Other reports suggested that the attacks may have involved limpet mines. [7] [40] Iran reported that they had rescued all 44 crew members of both vessels and taken them to Iran. [40] However, the U.S. Navy responded to assist both vessels after the attack and reported having rescued some of the crew. [7] [40] 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. [41] [42]

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. [43] The 23 crew of Front Altair were first rescued by a nearby South Korean vessel, Hyundai Dubai. The South Korean Hyundai Merchant Marine Company confirmed the rescue and said the vessel later handed over the rescued crew members to an Iranian rescue boat. [44] [45] According to US intelligence reports, shortly after the crews were evacuated, Iranian military boats surrounded the rescue ships and told them to hand over the mariners into their custody. One of the civilian rescue ships eventually complied with this request. [46] 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. [47] Neither oil tanker was sunk in the attack, despite significant damage. [7] The U.S. Navy later sent another destroyer, USS Mason, to the location of the incident. [48]

Aftermath

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. [49]

On 15 June, the crew of Front Altair arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on an Iran Air flight from Bandar Abbas, Iran. [50] Robert Hvide Macleod, CEO of Frontline Management said "Everyone has been very well cared for in Iran, and everyone is in good shape". [51]

Kokuka Courageous's 21 crew members were returned to the vessel by the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet after being rescued. [52]

Front Altair was towed to the port of Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates. Both Kokuka Courageous and Front Altair will have their cargoes unloaded and will be assessed for damages by a specialist team. [52]

On 20 June 2019 Iran shot down an American surveillance drone in the Gulf of Oman.[ citation needed ]

Conspiracy theories have been spread regarding the incident. [53]

Investigation

Footage released by the U.S. Central Command allegedly showing an IRGC patrol boat removing an unexploded limpet mine from Kokuka Courageous
Magnet attached to the side of Kokuka Courageous, allegedly left over from the removed limpet mine Magnet of limpet mine attached to Kokuka Courageous.jpg
Magnet attached to the side of Kokuka Courageous, allegedly left over from the removed limpet mine

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". [54] 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. [55] The Iranian government, in response, denied any and all responsibility and criticized the accusation. [6] [56] Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan remarked that the U.S. wanted to "build international consensus to this international problem", partly by declassifying and releasing intelligence. [57]

On 13 June, 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. [58] [59] 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, center console, and anti-aircraft gun. [60] [61] Iran called the U.S. accusations that it attacked the ships baseless. [62]

On 14 June, 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." [58] [63] Then, "some crew witnessed a second shot". [64] He said he believed the incident could not have been a torpedo attack, because the ship was hit above the waterline, and that he was more likely to believe a penetrating bullet hit it than a mine. He clarified this was "just an assumption or a guess." [65] [66]

Also on 14 June, 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. [67] [68]

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." [69] 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." [70] 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." [71]

On 17 June, the Pentagon released new images which, according to it, were taken from an MH-60R Navy surveillance helicopter of the aftermath of alleged Iranian attack on tankers in the Gulf of Oman. They again allegedly showed IRGC members removing an unexploded limpet mine. [72]

Reactions

Political

Iran

The patrol boat filmed allegedly removing a limpet mine (pictured) matches the model and dimensions of patrol boats used by the IRGC Navy, with its distinctive chevron pattern and center console. Patrol boat by the Kokuka Courageous.jpg
The patrol boat filmed allegedly removing a limpet mine (pictured) matches the model and dimensions of patrol boats used by the IRGC Navy, with its distinctive chevron pattern and center console.

After news of the incident, the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted "Suspicious doesn't begin to describe what likely transpired this morning." [41] He described the attacks as a move by "the B-team" [lower-alpha 3] to sabotage diplomacy. [73] Iran's mission to the United Nations 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." [74] [75] Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani said that the United States may have carried out false flag operations against the oil tankers. [76]

On 18 June, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said on live television that "Iran will not wage war against any nation. Those facing us are a group of politicians with little experience." [77]

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". [78]

United States

The United States identified this particular type of limpet mine, called "Iranian Indigenous Extra-Large Limpet Mine," as being used in the attack. Chitgar Naval Exhibition - Iranian limpet mine.jpg
The United States identified this particular type of limpet mine, called "Iranian Indigenous Extra-Large Limpet Mine," as being used in the attack.

U.S. officials have blamed the attacks on Iran, [41] [80] with United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stating that the U.S. "would defend its forces and interests in the region". [41] Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir agreed with Pompeo, saying "Iran has a history of doing this." [81] During an interview with Fox News, Trump further asserted the blame on Iran, calling the country "a nation of terror". [82]

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.” [83] Fellow senator and presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren echoed Sanders saying she was “very concerned about a slide towards war with Iran”. [84]

On 17 June, Maariv reported that diplomatic sources at the United Nations Headquarters revealed to the newspaper an American plan to carry out a tactical assault against Iran – namely, aerial bombardment of an Iranian facility related to its nuclear program. [85] That evening, the U.S. Department of Defense announced the deployment of 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East as a defensive response to the incident. [11]

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office 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 Secretary Jeremy Hunt calling Iran's alleged actions "deeply unwise". [5]

The office released another 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." [86] 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". [87] He 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." [88]

The position on the June incident was challenged on Twitter by opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, who questioned the existence of "credible evidence" and cautioned against fueling a war with rhetoric, an objection Hunt called "pathetic and predictable", before rhetorically questioning Corbyn's patriotism. [89]

Other countries

Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud blamed Iran for the attacks. [90] [91] Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih urged a "swift and decisive response" to the incident.[ citation needed ] Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir expressed support for the U.S. position, saying that "Iran has a history of doing this". [4]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "the world needs to back the US" in the incident. [92]

The German government urged "a spiral of escalation must be avoided". [70] Responding to the video released by the US Central Command, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas remarked that "to make a final assessment, this is not enough for me". [93] Later, Chancellor Angela Merkel stated there was "strong evidence" that Iran was behind the attacks, [9] adding "we must do everything to solve the conflict with Iran in a peaceful way". [94]

The Italian Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero said: "We do think that there is room for finding a way for peace and stability in the world". [95] Meanwhile, Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister, said: "I believe that the main task of foreign ministers is to avoid war... you really shouldn't make the mistake of believing that you can solve a problem in the Middle East with weapons". Pekka Haavisto, his Finnish counterpart stated there should be "a proper investigation [to put] all the facts on the table and then we can look what really has happened, who is behind this". [95]

General Secretary of the Communist Party and Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani during an SCO meeting that China would promote ties with Iran regardless of developments from the incident. [96] State councillor and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi asked for all parties involved to "not open a Pandora's box". [97] 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". [98]

On 14 June 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. [51]

On 15 June 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. [99] After reviewing the video evidence, a source close to Abe said "These are not definite proof that it's Iran" behind the attacks, and "even if it's the United States that makes the assertion, we cannot simply say we believe it". [10]

Other organizations

The United Nations Security Council met on 13 June in a closed door meeting with a briefing by US acting Ambassador regarding Washington's assessment that Iran was responsible for the suspected attack on two tankers in the strategic sea lane. [100] [101]

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. [40] As a result of the incident, shipping through the Strait has slowed, due to concerns of further damage. [102]

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. [103] After meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres at UN headquarters in New York on 14 June, 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 U.S. 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." [88]

Economic

Following a month-long decrease, the price of oil initially increased by 4% after the incident, then settled to an increase of 2%. The increase in oil prices has been attributed to uncertainty regarding the supply of oil, due to reduced shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as a result of this incident. [102] [104] On 17 June, the price of oil returned to its previous decreasing trend, falling by 1.7%. [105]

The price of insurance for cargo ships has also risen in response to the event, which could increase oil prices. [102] Bloomberg reported that the war risk insurance premium for the Persian Gulf – which had already increased following the May incidents – jumped from US$50,000 to US$185,000 for supertankers. [106]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Flagged in Panama and operated by a company based in Japan
  2. ↑ Flagged in Marshall Islands and operated by a company based in Norway [1]
  3. ↑ 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

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gulf of Oman</span> Arabian Sea link to the Indian Ocean

The Gulf of Oman or Sea of Oman, also known as Gulf of Makran or Sea of Makran, is a gulf that connects the Arabian Sea with the Strait of Hormuz, which then runs to the Persian Gulf. It borders Iran and Pakistan on the north, Oman on the south, and the United Arab Emirates on the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strait of Hormuz</span> Strait between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf

The Strait of Hormuz is a strait between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean and is one of the world's most strategically important choke points. On the north coast lies Iran, and on the south coast lies the Musandam peninsula, shared by the United Arab Emirates and the Musandam Governorate, an exclave of Oman. The strait is about 90 nautical miles (167 km) long, with a width varying from about 52 nmi (96 km) to 21 nmi (39 km).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iran–United States relations</span> Bilateral relations

Iran and the United States have had no formal diplomatic relations since 7 April 1980. Instead, Pakistan serves as Iran's protecting power in the United States, while Switzerland serves as the United States' protecting power in Iran. Contacts are carried out through the Iranian Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the US Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy in Tehran. In August 2018, Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei banned direct talks with the United States.

<i>Countdown to Looking Glass</i> Canadian TV series or program

Countdown to Looking Glass is a Canadian made-for-television movie that premiered in the United States on HBO on October 14, 1984 and was also broadcast on CTV in Canada. The movie presents a fictional confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union over the Strait of Hormuz, the gateway to the Persian Gulf. The narrative of the film details the events that lead up to the initial exchange of nuclear weapons, which was triggered by a banking crisis, from the perspective of an ongoing news broadcast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iran–Saudi Arabia relations</span> Bilateral relations

Bilateral relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have been strained over several geopolitical issues, such as aspirations for regional leadership, oil export policy and relations with the United States and other Western countries. Diplomatic relations were suspended from 1987 to 1990, and in 2016 for seven years following certain issues like the intervention in Yemen, Iran embassy bombing in Yemen, incidents in 2015 Hajj, the execution of Nimr al-Nimr, the attack on the Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran. However, in March 2023, after discussions brokered by China, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to reestablish relations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011–2012 Strait of Hormuz dispute</span>

The 2011–12 Strait of Hormuz dispute was a dispute between a coalition of countries and Iran. The dispute arose on 27 December 2011, when Iranian Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz. In late April 2019 Iran said that it will block any shipping if it was barred from using the strategic waterway and in face of US sanctions

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iran–Kuwait relations</span> Bilateral relations

Kuwait and Iran have longstanding historical ties spanning hundreds of years, particularly in the pre-oil era. Relations were negatively influenced by the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s. Relations improved after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

<i>Bridgeton</i> incident Maritime incident in the Persian Gulf in July 1987

The Bridgeton incident was the mining of the supertanker SS Bridgeton by Iranian IRGC navy near Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf on July 24, 1987. The ship was sailing in the first convoy of Operation Earnest Will, the U.S. response to Kuwaiti requests to protect its tankers from attack amid the Iran–Iraq War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict</span> Indirect conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia

Iran and Saudi Arabia are engaged in an ongoing struggle for influence in the Middle East and other regions of the Muslim world. The two countries have provided varying degrees of support to opposing sides in nearby conflicts, including the civil wars in Syria and Yemen; and disputes in Bahrain, Lebanon, Qatar, and Iraq. The struggle also extends to disputes or broader competition in other countries globally including in West, North and East Africa, South, Central, Southeast Asia, the Balkans, and the Caucasus.

The Qatar diplomatic crisis was a high-profile incident involving the deterioration of ties between Qatar and the Arab League between 2017 and 2021. It began when Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt simultaneously severed their bilateral relations with Qatar and subsequently banned Qatar-registered aircraft and Qatari ships from utilizing their sovereign territory by air, land, and sea; this involved the Saudis' closure of Qatar's only land crossing, initiating a de facto blockade of the country. Tensions between the two sides came to a close in January 2021, following a resolution between the Saudis and the Qataris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">May 2019 Gulf of Oman incident</span> Sabotage of 4 commercial ships in the Gulf of Oman

On 12 May 2019, four commercial ships were damaged off Fujairah's coast in the Gulf of Oman. The ships included two Saudi Arabian registered oil tankers, a Norwegian registered oil tanker, and an Emirati registered bunkering ship. The ships were anchored on the United Arab Emirates territorial waters for bunkering in Port of Fujairah. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates reported that the ships had been subject to a "sabotage attack". The United Arab Emirates launched a joint investigation probe with United States and France. The initial investigation assessment determined that 5-to-10-foot holes near or below all the ships' waterlines were probably caused by explosive charges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Iranian shoot-down of American drone</span> Military action in the Strait of Hormuz

On June 20, 2019, Iran's integrated system of Air Defense Forces shot down a United States RQ-4A Global Hawk BAMS-D surveillance drone with a surface-to-air missile over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran and the U.S. differ on where the incident actually occurred. Iranian officials said that the drone violated their airspace, while U.S. officials responded that the drone was in international airspace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abqaiq–Khurais attack</span> Drone attack on Saudi oil processing facilities

On 14 September 2019, drones were used to attack oil processing facilities at Abqaiq and Khurais (خريص) in eastern Saudi Arabia. The facilities were operated by Saudi Aramco, the country's state-owned oil company. The Houthi movement in Yemen claimed responsibility, tying it to events surrounding the Saudi intervention in the Yemeni Civil War and stating they used ten drones in the attack launched from Yemen, south of the facilities. Saudi Arabian officials said that many more drones and cruise missiles were used for the attack and originated from the north and east, and that they were of Iranian manufacture. The United States and Saudi Arabia have stated that Iran was behind the attack while France, Germany, and the United Kingdom jointly stated Iran bears responsibility for it. Iran has denied any involvement. The situation exacerbated the 2019 Persian Gulf crisis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Maritime Security Construct</span> Military coalition

The International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) is a consortium of countries whose official stated aim is the maintenance of order and security in the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Bab-el-Mandeb, and Southern Red Sea, particularly regarding maritime security of global oil supply routes. It was formed on 16 September 2019 in Bahrain, by the United Kingdom, Australia, Albania, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Lithuania, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. The operational arm of the IMSC is Coalition Task Force SENTINEL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arab–Israeli normalization</span> Peace efforts between Arab states and Israel

Since the 1970s, there has been a parallel effort made to find terms upon which peace can be agreed to in the Arab–Israeli conflict and also specifically the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Over the years, numerous Arab League countries have signed peace and normalization treaties with Israel, beginning with the Egypt–Israel peace treaty (1979). Despite the failure to implement the Israeli–Lebanese peace accords (1983), more treaties continued with the Israeli–Palestinian peace process (1991–present), the Israel–Jordan peace treaty (1994), the Abraham Accords normalizing relations between Israel–United Arab Emirates and Israel–Bahrain (2020), the Israel–Sudan normalization agreement (2020) and the Israel–Morocco normalization agreement (2020). Moreover, numerous Arab League members established semi-official relations with Israel.

On 29 July 2021, the oil tanker MT Mercer Street, travelling from Tanzania to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with no cargo on board, was attacked off the coast of Oman. The ship is flagged in Liberia. It is Japanese-owned and managed by Israeli-owned Zodiac Maritime, an international ship management company headquartered in London and led by billionaire shipping magnate Eyal Ofer, who is an Israeli citizen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">August 2021 Gulf of Oman incident</span> Attack on an oil tanker named the Asphalt Princess in the Gulf of Oman

On 3 August 2021 the asphalt tanker Asphalt Princess, travelling from Khor Fakkan, the United Arab Emirates, to the Sohar, Oman, was attacked and boarded in the Gulf of Oman. The ship is flagged in Panama. The vessel is owned by Glory International, listed as based in the Emirati free zone.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated on 25 October 2021 that they had thwarted an attempt by the United States to capture and detain a tanker carrying Iranian oil in the gulf of Oman by carrying out a heliborne operation and directing the ship back to Iran's territorial waters. The Pentagon rejected the Iranian statement and said that Iranian forces had seized a Vietnamese-flagged oil tanker in October.

On 19 April 2022, the Iranian-flagged tanker Lana, with 19 Russian crew members on board, was seized by Greek authorities near the southern island of Evia; this sparked an international incident. Greek authorities had connected Russian sanctions imposed by the European Union after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February to the tanker seizure in Greece.

European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz

The European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASoH) is a French-led maritime monitoring mission with the goal to protect maritime flows through the Strait of Hormuz. It is headquartered at the French naval base in Abu Dhabi and comprises a diplomacy track (EMASoH) and a military track (AGENOR). The mission has 9 participating countries including Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and, with political support, Germany and Portugal. These are all European countries, however EMASOH is not initiated by the European Union.

References

  1. ↑ Kirkpatrick, David D.; Pérez-Peña, Richard; Reed, Stanley (13 June 2019). "Tankers Are Attacked in Mideast, and U.S. Says Video Shows Iran Was Involved" . Retrieved 14 June 2019– via NYTimes.com.
  2. 1 2 "Iran tried to shoot down US Reaper drone that arrived on scene of oil tanker attacks: officials". FoxNews. 15 June 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Gulf of Oman tankers attacked: Live updates". www.cnn.com. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  4. 1 2 Washington, Reuters (14 June 2019). "Saudi Arabia agrees Iran was behind tanker attacks, says Adel al-Jubeir". Reuters. Al-Arabiya. Reuters – Al-Arabiya. Retrieved 14 June 2019.{{cite news}}: |first1= has generic name (help)
  5. 1 2 3 "Saudis, UK agree that Iran behind attacks, Iran denies involvement". The Jerusalem Post. 14 June 2019 – via Reuters.
  6. 1 2 "U.S. blames Iran for tanker attacks in Gulf of Oman, Iran rejects assertion". Reuters. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Gambrell, Jon (13 June 2019). "Tankers targeted near Strait of Hormuz amid Iran-US tensions". AP News . Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Pérez-Peña, Richard; Reed, Stanley; Kirkpatrick, David D. (13 June 2019). "Tankers Attacked Again in Gulf of Oman, Raising Fears of Wider Conflict". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  9. 1 2 "Germany says there is 'strong evidence' Iran behind tanker attacks". DW. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  10. 1 2 "Japan demands more proof from U.S. that Iran attacked tankers". Japan Today. 16 June 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  11. 1 2 Rebecca Morin (17 June 2019). "Pentagon sending 1,000 U.S. troops to Middle East after oil tanker attacks". USA Today. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  12. ↑ "Trump Withdraws U.S. From 'One-Sided' Iran Nuclear Deal". The New York Times. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  13. ↑ "Maximum Pressure Campaign on the Regime in Iran". United States Department of State. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  14. ↑ Goldenberg, Ilan. "Maximum Pressure on Iran Means Maximum Risk of War". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  15. ↑ Dehghan, Saeed Kamali (5 July 2018). "Iran threatens to block Strait of Hormuz over US oil sanctions". The Guardian . Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  16. ↑ "Factbox: Strait of Hormuz – the world's most important oil artery". Reuters. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  17. ↑ "Iran's Oil Production Has Hit Historic Lows As Saudis Take Market Share". Radio Farda. 4 June 2019.
  18. ↑ "Iran oil: US to end sanctions exemptions for major importers". BBC News . 22 April 2019.
  19. ↑ Toosi, Nahal (9 May 2019). "Trump to Iran: Call me, maybe". Politico .
  20. ↑ Sanger, David E.; Wong, Edward; Erlanger, Steven; Schmitt, Eric (8 May 2019). "U.S. Issues New Sanctions as Iran Warns It Will Step Back From Nuclear Deal". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  21. ↑ "The First Tanker War". www.historytoday.com. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  22. ↑ "The Tanker War". U.S. Naval Institute. 1 May 1988. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  23. 1 2 Symonds, Craig (23 October 2006). Decision at Sea: Five Naval Battles that Shaped American History. Oxford University Press. p.  279. ISBN   978-0195312119.
  24. ↑ Gambrell, Jon (14 June 2019). "Oil tanker attacks echo Persian Gulf's 1980s 'Tanker War'". Associated Press. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  25. ↑ "Bolton: U.S. sending Navy strike group to Iran to send "clear message"". Axios. 6 May 2019.
  26. ↑ "Israel passed White House intelligence on possible Iran plot". Axios. 6 May 2019.
  27. ↑ "USS Arlington, Marines to Join U.S. Carrier in Middle East". USNI News. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  28. ↑ Yee, Vivian (7 June 2019). "UAE tanker attacks blamed on 'state actor'". BBC. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  29. ↑ "Iran news: Details of tanker "sabotage" murky as Trump warns Iran and U.S. casts first blame". CBS News . 14 May 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  30. ↑ "The Latest: US officials believe threat from Iran not over". ABC News . 13 June 2019.
  31. ↑ "US blames Iran for attacks on tankers in Gulf of Oman". Middle East Eye . 13 June 2019.
  32. ↑ "Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meets Iranian leadership, tries to ease tensions with United States". South China Morning Post. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  33. 1 2 "Oil tankers on fire after 'torpedo' attack in Gulf of Oman". Sky News. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  34. 1 2 Capaccio, Anthony (17 June 2019). "Pentagon Shares New Photos, Timeline of Gulf Oil Tanker Attacks". Bloomberg. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  35. 1 2 "Statement from US Central Command on attacks against U.S. observation aircraft". U.S. Central Command. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  36. ↑ "Iranians fired missile at US drone prior to tanker attack, US official says". CNN. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  37. ↑ "What we know about Gulf of Oman tanker 'attacks'". BBC. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  38. ↑ Jaganathan, Jessica (13 June 2019). "Bernhard Shulte says its tanker Kokuka Courageous damaged after 'suspected attack'". Reuters. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  39. ↑ "Frontline spokesman denies IRNA report that Front Altair has sunk". Reuters. 13 June 2019.
  40. 1 2 3 4 "Crews rescued after Gulf tanker explosions". 13 June 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  41. 1 2 3 4 "U.S. official says "highly likely" Iran behind new tanker attacks in Gulf of Oman". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  42. ↑ "Bainbridge Answers Distress Call". U.S. Central Command. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  43. ↑ "Nederlands schip redt opvarenden". Telegraaf (in Dutch). 13 June 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  44. ↑ "The Latest: South Korea firm confirms rescue of oil tanker crew after reported attack". WNDU. 13 June 2019.
  45. ↑ "Tanker crew detained by Iran after first being rescued by another vessel: US officials". Fox News. 14 June 2019.
  46. ↑ "U.S. intel says Iran tried to pick up crews from tankers attacked in Gulf of Oman". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  47. ↑ "Front Altair's crew unharmed and now in Iran: shipping firm". Reuters. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  48. ↑ "US destroyer USS Mason en route to the scene of attacks in Gulf". Al Arabiya. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  49. ↑ "Blast-hit Kokuka tanker being towed toward UAE: operator". Reuters. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  50. ↑ Gambrell, Jon; Abuelgasim, Fay (15 June 2019). "Crew members of targeted Norwegian-owned tanker now in Dubai". AP NEWS. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  51. 1 2 "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 16 June 2019.
  52. 1 2 "Blast-hit tankers to be assessed off UAE coast". Reuters. 16 June 2019.
  53. ↑ Fichera, Angelo (14 February 2020). "Viral Posts Spread Iran-'Deep State' Conspiracy Theory".
  54. ↑ Wong, Edward (13 June 2019). "Pompeo Says Intelligence Points to Iran in Tanker Attack in Gulf of Oman". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. OCLC   1645522 . Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  55. ↑ Kirkpatrick, David D. (14 June 2019). "Why Tanker Blasts in the Gulf of Oman Have Put the World on Edge". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. OCLC   1645522. Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  56. ↑ Wintour, Patrick; Julian, Borger (13 June 2019). "Mike Pompeo blames Iran for oil tanker attacks in Gulf of Oman". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077. OCLC   60623878 . Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  57. ↑ "US looks to build 'international consensus' around tanker attacks it blamed on Iran". ABC News. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  58. 1 2 "US says video shows Iran removing unexploded mine". BBC. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  59. ↑ "US releases video it says shows Iran's military recovering mine". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 June 2019. ISSN   0312-6315. OCLC   226369741. Archived from the original on 14 June 2019.
  60. 1 2 David Botti; Natalie Reneau; Christiaan Triebert; Nilo Tabrizy; Malachy Browne (14 June 2019). Did Iran Attack Ships in the Gulf? What the Evidence Shows. The New York Times . Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  61. ↑ "Gulf of Oman tanker attacks: US says video shows Iran removing mine". BBC. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 15 June 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.
  62. ↑ "Iran issues denial after US says video shows involvement in tanker attacks". The Straits Times. 14 June 2019. OCLC   8572659 . Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  63. ↑ "Iran denies tanker attacks as tensions soar". Agence France Presse . Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  64. ↑ Denyer, Simon. "Japanese ship owner contradicts US account of how tanker was attacked". Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  65. ↑ Dooley, Ben. "'Flying Object' Struck Tanker in Gulf of Oman, Operator Says, Not a Mine". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. OCLC   1645522 . Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  66. ↑ Denyer, Simon; Morello, Carol (14 June 2019). "Japanese ship owner contradicts U.S. account of how tanker was attacked". The Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286. OCLC   2269358. Archived from the original on 14 June 2019.
  67. ↑ "Early Investigations into Oil Tankers Incidents Show Fire Started for Technical Problems". Fars News Agency. 14 June 2019. Archived from the original on 14 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  68. ↑ "Opinion | Be skeptical of Trump's bluster that Iran is behind the tanker attacks". NBC News.
  69. ↑ Associated Press of Pakistan, APP (Global) (14 June 2019). "At UN, Iran denies US claims of its involvement in tanker attacks". Associated Press of Pakistan. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  70. 1 2 Erlanger, Steven (14 June 2019). "Distrusting Both Iran and U.S., Europe Urges 'Maximum Restraint'". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. OCLC   1645522. Archived from the original on 14 June 2019.
  71. ↑ world, Young Journalists Club | Latest news of Iran and (16 June 2019). "'Japan dismisses US claim that Iran attacked tankers'". en.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  72. ↑ "U.S. military releases new images from oil tanker attacks". Reuters. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  73. ↑ "Iran's Zarif: B-Team Moving to Sabotage Diplomacy – Politics news". Tasnim News Agency. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  74. ↑ Cunningham, Erin; Gearan, Anne; Morello, Carol (31 July 2019). "U.S. blames Iran for attack on oil tankers, releases video purporting to show Iranians removing mine". The Washington Post . ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  75. ↑ Kirkpatrick, David D.; Pérez-Peña, Richard; Reed, Stanley (13 June 2019). "Tankers Are Attacked in Mideast, and U.S. Says Video Shows Iran Was Involved". The New York Times . Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  76. ↑ "Iran hints US could be behind 'suspicious' tanker attacks". France 24. 16 June 2019.
  77. ↑ "Iran will not wage war against any nation: Iranian president". Reuters. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  78. ↑ "Tankers struck near Strait of Hormuz; US blames Iran". Associated Press. 13 June 2019.
  79. ↑ Jonathan R. Cohen (16 July 2019). "Letter dated 27 June 2019 from the Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the United States of America to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General". undocs.org.
  80. ↑ "Two tankers attacked in Gulf of Oman, US not ruling out Iran is responsible". ABC News. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  81. ↑ "Saudi Arabia agrees Iran was behind tanker attacks: Saudi minister". Reuters. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  82. ↑ "'Iran did do it': Trump addresses tanker attacks, points to US military video of removing mine". USA Today. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  83. ↑ Sanders Warns Trump That War With Iran Would Be a 'Disaster'
  84. ↑ Steinhauser, Paul (15 June 2019). "Warren worried about 'slide towards war with Iran', says Trump needs to 'come to Congress' before taking military action". Fox News.
  85. ↑ Shamir, Shlomo (17 June 2019). "U.N. officials: U.S. planning a 'tactical assault' in Iran". Maariv Online. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  86. ↑ "Gulf of Oman attacks: UK statement". British Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP. 14 June 2019.
  87. ↑ Milliken, David (14 June 2019). "UK warns Iran over 'deeply unwise' attacks on oil tankers". Reuters. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  88. 1 2 "The Latest: Arab League chief tells Iranians to 'be careful'". Associated Press. 14 June 2019.
  89. ↑ "Corbyn challenges UK's Iran accusations". BBC. 15 June 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  90. ↑ "Saudi crown prince lashes out at arch-rival Iran over tanker attacks". Alarby .
  91. ↑ "Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince MBS blames Iran for tanker attacks". Al Jazeera.
  92. ↑ Keinon, Herb (16 June 2019). "Netanyahu – World needs to back US in Gulf of Oman inicident". The Jerusalem Post. ISSN   0021-597X.
  93. ↑ "Germany: U.S video not enough to attribute blame over oil tanker attacks". Reuters. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  94. ↑ Merkel Sees ‘Strong Evidence’ Iran Attacked Gulf Oil Tankers
  95. 1 2 "Unconvinced EU ministers call for independent investigation after US claim Iran is behind tanker attack". The Independent. 17 June 2019.
  96. ↑ "Xi says China will promote steady ties with Iran". Reuters. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  97. ↑ "Don't open 'Pandora's Box' in Middle East, China warns". Reuters. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  98. ↑ "Russia says don't use tanker attacks to pressure Iran: RIA". Reuters. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  99. ↑ "Abe denounces attacks on tankers near Strait of Hormuz". Japan Today. 15 June 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  100. ↑ "U.S. to raise Mideast tanker attacks in U.N. Security Council: diplomats". Reuters. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  101. ↑ SBS World News, Middle East (14 June 2019). "US warns UN of 'clear threat' from Iran after oil tanker attacks". SBS News. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  102. 1 2 3 "Attacks On Tankers In Gulf Of Oman Send Oil Prices Up, Sharply". NPR.org. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  103. ↑ "U.S. calls attacks on commercial shipping 'unacceptable'". Reuters. 13 June 2019.
  104. ↑ Easton, Collin (12 June 2019). "Oil prices rise 2% after tanker attacks near Iran". Reuters . Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  105. ↑ Kelly, Stephanie (17 June 2019). "Oil prices fall 1% as economic worries outweigh tanker tensions". Reuters . Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  106. ↑ Longley, Alex; Tobben, Sheela; Koh, Ann (15 June 2019). "War Risk Insurance Spirals Higher for Middle East Tankers". Bloomberg. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.