UPDATE: Iran's mission to the United Nations says it categorically rejects the U.S.'s 'unfounded claim' regarding Gulf of Oman tanker attacks. Read more:
DUBAI/WASHINGTON - The United States blamed Iran for attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday that drove up oil prices and raised concerns about a new U.S.-Iranian confrontation.
The firm that chartered the Kokuka Courageous tanker said that it was hit by a suspected torpedo but a person with knowledge of the matter said torpedoes were not used. The United States, which has accused Iran or its proxies of carrying out a May 12 attack on four tankers off the United Arab Emirates’ coast as well as May 14 drone strikes on two Saudi oil pumping stations, squarely blamed Iran for Thursday’s attacks.
Iran has repeatedly warned it would block the Strait of Hormuz if it cannot sell its oil because of U.S. sanctions. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif described the tanker explosions as “suspicious” on Twitter and called for regional dialogue. Tehran has denied responsibility for the May 12 attacks.
The Council discussed the attacks behind closed doors on Thursday at the request of the United States.
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