Two Saudi Arabian oil tankers were damaged in a 'sabotage attack' off the coast of the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, Saudi authorities said on Monday.
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said that two vessels were attacked off the coast of the UAE. One of the tankers was carrying Saudi crude oil that was to be delivered to state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco’s customers in the United States.
The statement came hours after Iranian media has falsely reported of an explosion at the city's port. The Saudi authorities have not said anything about who could be involved in the attack. They said that no casualties were reported, but the vessel structure received severe damage.
The United States (US) had warned that 'Iran or its proxies' could be targetting maritime movement in the region. America has deployed an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf to counter alleged threats from Tehran. The bombers are said to have reached Qatar by May 10.
Iran's Foreign Minister Spokesperson Abu Mousavi asked for more Saudi clarification over what exactly happened. He asked for more information about the incidents and warned against 'conspiracies' hatched by 'ill-wishers'.
Tensions between the US and Iran increased after President Donald Trump decided to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear dead. Last week, Iran warned it would begin enriching uranium at higher levels in 60 days if world powers failed to negotiate new terms for the deal.
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said that two vessels were attacked off the coast of the UAE. One of the tankers was carrying Saudi crude oil that was to be delivered to state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco’s customers in the United States.
The statement came hours after Iranian media has falsely reported of an explosion at the city's port. The Saudi authorities have not said anything about who could be involved in the attack. They said that no casualties were reported, but the vessel structure received severe damage.
The United States (US) had warned that 'Iran or its proxies' could be targetting maritime movement in the region. America has deployed an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf to counter alleged threats from Tehran. The bombers are said to have reached Qatar by May 10.
Iran's Foreign Minister Spokesperson Abu Mousavi asked for more Saudi clarification over what exactly happened. He asked for more information about the incidents and warned against 'conspiracies' hatched by 'ill-wishers'.
Tensions between the US and Iran increased after President Donald Trump decided to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear dead. Last week, Iran warned it would begin enriching uranium at higher levels in 60 days if world powers failed to negotiate new terms for the deal.