June 2019 Gulf of Oman incident facts for kids
Kokuka Courageous after the fire, with damage shown on the left and the alleged unexploded limpet mine still attached on the right
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Date | June 13, 2019 |
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Location | Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean |
Target | Merchant ships operated by companies based in: |
Non-fatal injuries | 1 crew member wounded |
Property damage | 2 merchant ships damaged |
Suspects | Iran (on the same day Iranin President met the Japanese PM ,alleged by the United States, and supported by Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the United Kingdom; denied by Iran) United States (hinted at by Iran to be a false flag operation) |
On June 13, 2019, two oil tankers were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz while transiting the Gulf of Oman. The Japanese Kokuka Courageous and Norwegian Front Altair were attacked with limpet mines or flying objects, causing fire damage to both ships.
American and Iranian military personnel responded to the attacks and were involved in rescuing crew members from the ships. The attacks took place a month after the similar May 2019 Gulf of Oman incident and on the same day that Ayatollah Khamenei met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe in Iran.
Amid tensions between Iran and the United States, the United States blamed Iran for the attacks. Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom supported the United States' accusation, while Japan and Germany want more proof of Iran's culpability. Iran denied the accusation, blaming the United States for spreading wrong information. The cause is currently under investigation.
Images for kids
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U.S. Navy sailors provide aid to the crew of Kokuka Courageous onboard USS Bainbridge
See also
In Spanish: Incidente del golfo de Omán de junio de 2019 para niños