On Thursday, June 13, the US Navy released a footage claiming that Iran was the one responsible for the attacks against the two tankers in the Gulf of Oman. US Officials commented that the limpet mine used on a Japanese-owned oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz looks similar with other Iranian mines.
Specifically, Cmdr. Sean Kido, the leader of a diving and salvage unit at Central Command noted that the unexploded limpet mine that allegedly Iranian forces removed from one of the attacked vessels, Kokuka Courageous, ‘bears a striking resemblance’ to mines that are publicly displayed in Iranian military parades.
Moreover, according to sources, the US Navy does not possess mines; Yet, it does have surveillance footage and photos of what seems to be a mine attached to the vessel’s hull.
As Cmrd. Kido reported to Reuters
The damage at the blast hole is consistent with a limpet mine attack; it is not consistent with an external flying object striking the ship.
Cmrd. Kido, therefore, disagreed with statements from Courageous’ owner who claimed that the vessel was hit by a flying object.
Meanwhile, Iran denies any involvement in the attacks, while the EU has urged for an independent UN investigation to verify US claims.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres added
It’s very important to know the truth and it’s very important that responsibilities are clarified. Obviously that can only be done if there is an independent entity that verifies those facts.
Generally, the attack against the two oil tankers which took place on June 13, raised concerns in the shipping industry and negative comments, as the shipping sector condemned the attack as an ‘intolerable’ act.
