This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates as more information becomes available.
Two oil tankers were hit in the Gulf of Oman off the coast of Iran on Thursday, one reportedly hit by a torpedo.
Here is a video posted to Twitter of one of the tankers on fire after the attack:
Aerial footage shows one of the oil tankers targeted in the Sea of Oman#SeaofOman pic.twitter.com/mdvEPPT3J4
— Press TV (@PressTV) June 13, 2019
The Norwegian-owned Front Altair was allegedly hit by a torpedo, the Wall Street Journal and other outlets are reporting, and it was on fire in the Gulf.
The damage to one of two tankers that came under attack off the coast of Iran is consistent with a hit by a torpedo or other projectile, according to early assessments https://t.co/US6M0LKJwv
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) June 13, 2019
The Kokuka Courageous tanker also suffered damages after a “suspected attack,” according to reports.
LATEST: Owners of the second tanker attacked in the Gulf of Oman says their ship was damaged by a blast. The cause remains unknown https://t.co/5MscIZD16M pic.twitter.com/fA3dgPzY3B
— Bloomberg (@business) June 13, 2019
A country or group has not been named responsible for the attacks yet, but Iran was immediately suspected of having coordinated the hits. One of the tankers was carrying Japanese goods, and Iran and Japanese officials met today in Tehran.
The U.S. Navy on Thursday was responding to the scene and helping evacuate the tankers. It has been reported that both tankers’ crews and sailors are safe and accounted for.
“We are aware of the reported attack on shipping vessels in the Gulf of Oman,” a Navy spokesperson told The Telegraph. “U.S. Naval Forces in the region received two separate distress calls at 6:12 a.m. local (Bahrain) time and a second one at 7:00 a.m. U.S. Navy ships are in the area and are rendering assistance.”
The White House said it would continue to assess the situation, according to reports.
The tankers were near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic, heavily trafficked waterways, where one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through.
Here’s what we know so far about the suspected attack in the Gulf of Oman:
– two oil tankers damaged
– incident near Strait of Hormuz
– oil surged surged on news
– 4 tankers sabotaged last monthhttps://t.co/qsBhdi3KR6— Bloomberg (@business) June 13, 2019
The attacks also took place near the location where Iran was accused of sabotaging four tankers last month.
