FUJAIRAH/BRUSSELS: Four ships, including two Saudi oil tankers, were damaged in mysterious "sabotage attacks" that further inflamed Gulf tensions on Monday amid a standoff between the United States and Iran.
In the face of growing international concern, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo scrapped a planned visit to Moscow to head to Brussels instead for talks with European officials on Iran.
Tehran called for an investigation into Sunday´s "alarming" attacks off the Emirati coast and warned of "adventurism" by foreign players to disrupt maritime security.
Britain warned of the danger of conflict erupting "by accident" in the Gulf.
The US has already strengthened its military presence in the region, including deploying a number of strategic B-52 bombers in response to alleged Iranian threats.
Saudi Arabia condemned "the acts of sabotage which targeted commercial and civilian vessels near the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates", a foreign ministry source said. “This criminal act constitutes a serious threat to the security and safety of maritime navigation and adversely impacts regional and international peace and security,” the source added.
A UAE government official said the Saudi oil tankers Al-Marzoqah and Amjad were attacked off the emirate of Fujairah along with the Norwegian tanker Andrea Victory and an Emirati ship, the A. Michel.
The Andrea Victory´s managers, Thome Group, said the tanker had a hole in the hull area “after being struck by an unknown object on the waterline”. The crew were unharmed and the ship was not in any danger of sinking, it said.
Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said the kingdom´s two tankers suffered “significant damage” but there were no casualties or any oil spill.
Neither Saudi Arabia nor the UAE gave details on the nature of the attacks or accused anyone of responsibility.
The UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash, said the Emirates would probe the “deliberate sabotage” of the ships.
Fujairah port is the only Emirati terminal located on the Arabian Sea coast, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, through which most Gulf oil exports pass.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait in case of a military confrontation with the United States.
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