Tanker hit by mines in Gulf of Oman; U.S. official blames Iran while Central Command says “no interest in a new conflict in the Middle East”
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Image of Kokuka Courageous via US Central Command
GULF OF OMAN – The United States blames the Islamic Republic of Iran for an attack on a tanker in the Middle East that happened Thursday – but claims there in no interest in a “new conflict” in the Middle East.
Mike Pompeo, U.S Secretary of State, said Thursday after the incident:
Pompeo (state.gov/secretary)
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. This assessment is based on intelligence, the weapons used, the level of expertise needed to execute the operation, recent similar Iranian attacks on shipping, and the fact that no proxy group operating in the area has the resources and proficiency to act with such a high degree of sophistication.”This is only the latest in a series of attacks instigated by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its surrogates against American and allied interests, and they should be understood in the context of 40 years of unprovoked aggression against freedom-loving nations.
“On April 22nd, Iran promised the world that it would interrupt the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. It is now working to execute on that promise.”
According to U.S. Central Command, U.S. Naval Forces in the region received two separate distress calls at 6:12 AM local time from the motor tanker Altair and a second one at 7 AM local time from the motor tanker Kokuka Courageous. Both vessels were in international waters in the Gulf of Oman approximately 10 nautical miles apart at the time of the distress calls. USS Bainbridge was approximately 40 nautical miles away from the Altair at the time of the attack, and immediately began closing the distance.
At 8:09 a.m. local time a U.S. aircraft observed an IRGC Hendijan class patrol boat and multiple IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a branch of Iran’s Armed Forces) fast attack craft/fast inshore attack craft (FAC/FIAC) in the vicinity of the M/T Altair.
At 9:12 a.m. local time a U.S. aircraft observes the FAC/FIAC pull a raft from the Altair from the water.
At 9:26 a.m. local time the Iranians requested that the motor vessel Hyundai Dubai, which had rescued the sailors from the Altair, to turn the crew over to the Iranian FIACs. The motor vessel Hyundai Dubai complied with the request and transferred the crew of the Altair to the Iranian FIACs.
At 11:05 a.m. local time USS Bainbridge approaches the Dutch tug Coastal Ace, which had rescued the crew of twenty-one sailors from the M/T Kokuka Courageous who had abandoned their ship after discovering a probable unexploded limpet mine on their hull following an initial explosion.
While the Hendijan patrol boat appeared to attempt to get to the tug Coastal Ace before USS Bainbridge, the mariners were rescued by USS Bainbridge at the request of the master of the Kokuka Courageous. The rescued sailors are currently aboard USS Bainbridge.
At 4:10 p.m. local time an IRGC Gashti Class patrol boat approached the Kokuka Courageous and was observed and recorded removing the unexploded limpet mine from the Kokuka Courageous.
Capt. Bill Urban, Lead Spokesman for U.S. Central Command said in a statement, “The U.S. and our partners in the region will take all necessary measures to defend ourselves and our interests. Today’s attacks are a clear threat to international freedom of navigation and freedom of commerce. The U.S. and the international community, stand ready to defend our interests, including the freedom of navigation. The United States has no interest in engaging in a new conflict in the Middle East. However, we will defend our interests.”
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1 thought on “Tanker hit by mines in Gulf of Oman; U.S. official blames Iran while Central Command says “no interest in a new conflict in the Middle East””
Odummy gave these creeps 150 billions of taxpayer dollars to acquire nuclear weapons ! But if Kellyanne Conway talks about it she has to quit! Give me a break you @$$xxxx
1 thought on “Tanker hit by mines in Gulf of Oman; U.S. official blames Iran while Central Command says “no interest in a new conflict in the Middle East””
Odummy gave these creeps 150 billions of taxpayer dollars to acquire nuclear weapons ! But if Kellyanne Conway talks about it she has to quit! Give me a break you @$$xxxx