(VOVWORLD) - The Japanese government on Saturday asked the US to show evidence it says proves Iran's involvement in recent attacks on two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz.
 Norwegian-owned Front Altair tanker is attacked in the waters of the Gulf of Oman on June 13, 2019 (Photo: VNA) |
The Japanese-owned Kokuka Courageous tanker and the Front Altair, owned by Norway, were hit by explosions on Thursday and caught fire in the Gulf of Oman. Yutaka Katada, the president of the Japanese shipping company Kokuka Sangyo, said sailors saw a flying object before the explosion. The 21-member crew returned to the ship after being evacuated.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that America believes Iran is responsible for the attacks but didn’t show any evidence. The US military later released a video which it says shows Iran removing a mine from a Japanese tanker that was targeted on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince blamed Iran for the attacks and called on the international community to take a decisive stand but said the kingdom does not want a war in the region.