Pompeo: Iran attacked oil tankers in Persian GulfBy THE MANILA TIMEShome/News/World/Pompeo: Iran attacked oil tankers in Persian GulfWASHINGTON, D.C: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday (Friday in Manila) that the United States government blames Iran for attacks on two oil tankers near the Persian Gulf, casting it as the latest in a series of “provocative actions” that have sharply raised tensions in the region. “Taken as a whole these unprovoked attacks present a clear threat to international peace and security, a blatant assault on the freedom of navigation and an unacceptable campaign of escalating tension by Iran,” Pompeo said. Pompeo also said the US would defend its forces and interests in the Middle East but gave no details on any immediate plans. In May, the US rushed an aircraft carrier strike group and other military assets to the Persian Gulf region in response to what it said were threats from Iran. Pompeo on Thursday said Iran had attempted the covert deployment of small boats capable of launching missiles, in an apparent description of the threat that prompted the deployment.

Source: Manila Times June 14, 2019 16:52 UTC