June 2019 Gulf of Oman incident facts for kids
The Kokuka Courageous after the fire, showing damage on the left and a possible 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 (ships that carry goods) from: |
| Non-fatal injuries | 1 crew member wounded |
| Property damage | 2 merchant ships damaged |
| Suspects |  Iran (The United States, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the United Kingdom said Iran was responsible. Iran denied this.) United States (Iran suggested this was a false flag operation, meaning someone else did it to make Iran look bad.) |
On June 13, 2019, two large ships that carry oil, called oil tankers, were attacked. This happened near the Strait of Hormuz while they were traveling through the Gulf of Oman. The ships, named Kokuka Courageous from Japan and Front Altair from Norway, were hit by objects that caused fires. Some reports said these were limpet mines, which are bombs that stick to a ship's hull.
After the attacks, military teams from America and Iran helped rescue the sailors from the damaged ships. These attacks happened about a month after a similar event in May 2019 in the same area. It also happened on the very day that Iran's leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, met with Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzō Abe, in Iran.
Contents
What Happened During the Attacks?
Two Oil Tankers Targeted
The two ships, Kokuka Courageous and Front Altair, were sailing in the Gulf of Oman when they were attacked. The Front Altair caught fire after several explosions. The crew had to leave the ship. The Kokuka Courageous also had damage and a fire, and its crew was rescued.
Rescue Efforts and Help
After the attacks, different countries helped. The U.S. Navy ship USS Bainbridge helped rescue the crew members. Iranian forces also responded and helped with the rescue operations. It was a big effort to make sure everyone was safe.
Who Was Blamed for the Attacks?
Accusations Against Iran
There were strong disagreements between Iran and the United States at the time. Because of this, the United States quickly said that Iran was responsible for the attacks. They said Iran used limpet mines.
Other Countries' Views
Some countries agreed with the United States. Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom supported the idea that Iran was to blame. However, Japan and Germany asked for more clear evidence before deciding. Iran strongly denied the accusations. They said the United States was spreading false information. The actual cause of the attacks is still being investigated.
Images for kids
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U.S. Navy sailors helping the crew of the Kokuka Courageous on board the USS Bainbridge.
_render_aid_to_the_crew_of_the_M_V_Kokuka_Courageous._(48062823682).jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Incidente del golfo de Omán de junio de 2019 para niños
