Shinzo Abe’s Mission to Iran Ends in Flames
By News
Published 5 years ago on
June 14, 2019
Share
[aggregation-styles]
The Washington Post
The Washington Post
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Iran on Wednesday for a two-day trip that was aimed at cooling tensions in the region. And then things blew up.
On Thursday, two tankers carrying petrochemicals, one of which was a Japanese-owned ship, came under suspected attack in the Gulf of Oman. The incidents compounded the already simmering hostilities in what’s possibly the world’s most pivotal maritime corridor. After the United States slapped sweeping sanctions on Iran’s energy industry, the threat of disruption flared in the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow body of water linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. About a third of the world’s oil tanker traffic passes through the strait, including an estimated 80 percent of Japanese oil imports.
The United States was quick to point the finger at Tehran. Late Thursday the U.S. military released a video it says shows Iranian forces removing an unexploded limpet mine from the Japanese vessel after the blast. A U.S. defense official had told my colleagues that they believed the attacks were carried out by divers using such mines.
On Thursday, two tankers carrying petrochemicals, one of which was a Japanese-owned ship, came under suspected attack in the Gulf of Oman. The incidents compounded the already simmering hostilities in what’s possibly the world’s most pivotal maritime corridor. After the United States slapped sweeping sanctions on Iran’s energy industry, the threat of disruption flared in the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow body of water linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. About a third of the world’s oil tanker traffic passes through the strait, including an estimated 80 percent of Japanese oil imports.
The United States was quick to point the finger at Tehran. Late Thursday the U.S. military released a video it says shows Iranian forces removing an unexploded limpet mine from the Japanese vessel after the blast. A U.S. defense official had told my colleagues that they believed the attacks were carried out by divers using such mines.
By Ishaan Tharoor | 14 June 2019
RELATED TOPICS:
California Leaders Take Sides in Monumental Supreme Court Case on Homelessness
Housing /
3 hours ago
Man Sets Himself on Fire Outside Trump Hush Money Trial Court
U.S. /
14 hours ago
Real Estate Experts Talk Fresno’s Economic Future. Are Tough Times Ahead?
Economy /
16 hours ago
Unlocking the Secrets to Fresno State’s Superb Baseball Season
Sports /
17 hours ago
Get a 3D First Look at Merced’s High-Speed Rail Station Design
Events /
18 hours ago
California Court to Decide on Transgender Ballot Measure Wording
Politics /
18 hours ago
Rare House Vote Sees Ukraine, Israel Aid Advance as Democrats Join Republicans
Politics /
20 hours ago
The Pickle Flavor Frenzy and Its Rise in Food Trends
You might have noticed that the tangy taste of pickles has taken over more than just the condiment aisle. From pickle-flavored popcorn to pi...
Food /
2 hours ago
Categories
Latest
Videos
Food /
2 hours ago
The Pickle Flavor Frenzy and Its Rise in Food Trends
Housing /
3 hours ago
California Leaders Take Sides in Monumental Supreme Court Case on Homelessness
U.S. /
14 hours ago
Man Sets Himself on Fire Outside Trump Hush Money Trial Court
Economy /
16 hours ago
Real Estate Experts Talk Fresno’s Economic Future. Are Tough Times Ahead?
Sports /
17 hours ago
Unlocking the Secrets to Fresno State’s Superb Baseball Season
Economy /
2 days ago