13/06/2019 13:39
Gulf of Oman 'tanker blasts': US Navy aids distressed vessels
The US Navy's 5th Fleet says it is rendering assistance after receiving separate distress calls from two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.
Regional media said there were explosions and fires on both vessels, the Front Altair and Kokuka Courageous.
Crew from both vessels have been safely evacuated, their operators say.
The incident comes a month after four tankers were attacked off the United Arab Emirates, which blamed an unnamed "state actor".
The US said Iran was behind the attacks, which involved naval mines, an accusation Tehran denied. The attacks increased long-standing tensions between Iran and the US and its allies in the Gulf.
Oil prices rose as much as 3.9% from a near five-month low following Thursday's incident, Bloomberg reports.