Sailors evacuated from two tankers in distress near the strategic strait of HormuzTwo oil tankers have been attacked in the Gulf of Oman, leaving one ablaze and both adrift, raising regional tensions a month after a similar incident involving four tankers. The attacks occurred along one of the world’s busiest oil routes, and the price of oil surged as the initial reports emerged on Thursday. Japan’s trade ministry said the two oil tankers carried “Japan-related” cargo. Two oil tankers near the strategic strait of Hormuz were reportedly attacked in an assault that left one ablaze and adrift as 44 sailors were evacuated from both vessels and the US navy assisted. Iran has repeatedly said it had no knowledge of the attacks and had not instructed any surrogate forces to attack Gulf shipping or Saudi oil installations.

Source: The Guardian June 13, 2019 08:51 UTC