On 12 May, four oil tankers, including two Saudi vessels and a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-flagged ship, were targeted in a mysterious attack off the United Arab Emirates’ exclusive economic zone.
United Arab Emirates, Norway, and Saudi Arabia claimed in a joint statement on Thursday, cited by Reuters, that the limpet mines, which were used in the attack, were allegedly installed by divers deployed from fast boats.
Even though no one has claimed responsibility for the sabotage, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed on 21 May that Iran could quite possibly be responsible. Similarly, US National Security Adviser John Bolton has claimed that the Islamic Republic was most certainly behind the attack, while Tehran has denied the allegations.
The joint statement on Thursday did not mention, however, alleged Iran’s involvement, according to Reuters.
Tensions around Iran have been escalating since May 2018, when the United States pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal and re-imposed its sanctions on the Middle Eastern nation, particularly targeting its oil sector. The US actions forced Iran to retaliate and partially discontinue its obligations under the nuclear agreement.
DETAILS TO FOLLOW