Oil Tankers Hit by ‘Sabotage Attacks’ as Gulf Tensions Soar
May 13th, 2019Via: AFP:
Four ships, including two Saudi oil tankers, were damaged in mysterious “sabotage attacks” that further inflamed Gulf tensions on Monday amid a standoff between the United States and Iran.
In the face of growing international concern, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo scrapped a planned visit to Moscow to head to Brussels instead for talks with European officials on Iran.
Tehran called for an investigation into Sunday’s “alarming” attacks off the Emirati coast and warned of “adventurism” by foreign players to disrupt maritime security.
Britain warned of the danger of conflict erupting “by accident” in the Gulf.
The US has already strengthened its military presence in the region, including deploying a number of strategic B-52 bombers in response to alleged Iranian threats.
Saudi Arabia, the Islamic republic’s regional arch-rival, condemned “the acts of sabotage which targeted commercial and civilian vessels near the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates”, a foreign ministry source said.
“This criminal act constitutes a serious threat to the security and safety of maritime navigation and adversely impacts regional and international peace and security,” the source added.
This is a situation where I’d definitely be asking “cui bono?” For example, the Saudis have been under a lot of financial stress lately.
Hm…
https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2019/05/15/who-really-gains-from-the-gulf-ship-sabotage/