Pentagon Considers ‘Iran Attacks’ in Region a Threat to Global Peace and Security

Patrick Shanahan, Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense, accused Iran on Thursday, June 13, of posing a threat to global security and acting against freedom of navigation in international waters through what he called “unprovoked attacks” in response to the attack on two tankers in the Oman Sea.

Patrick Shanahan wrote on Twitter that the U.S. is not seeking confrontation, but will defend its interests and those of its allies.

On Thursday, “two large Singaporean and Norwegian oil tankers carrying crude oil” came under attack in the Oman Sea and caught fire.

Hours later, the U.S. accused Iran of being responsible for the attack on the two tankers in the Oman Sea.

The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations responded, saying that America’s “claim” of Iran’s involvement in the attack is “unfounded.”

The statement added that statements by American officials regarding Iran’s role in the attack on the vessels are part of “psychological operations of Iranophobia” by the country.

“War with Iran Is Not in America’s Strategic Interests”

In this regard, U.S. Central Command, CENTCOM, stated that the United States has no interest in new engagement in the Middle East, but will defend American interests and freedom of navigation.

CENTCOM said that following the attack on the two tankers in the Oman Sea, it has dispatched the destroyer USS Mason toward the Oman Sea and the site of the attack.

The statement added that the USS Bainbridge is near the damaged tanker Kokuka and will not tolerate any interference in the course of its mission.

Earl Brown, a CENTCOM spokesman, said that the U.S. and its allies will take necessary measures to defend themselves and their interests.

He said Thursday’s attacks pose a threat to international peace and security.

The CENTCOM spokesman clarified: “We have no interest in new engagement in the Middle East. We will defend our interests, but war with Iran is not in line with America’s strategic interests or those of the international community.”

Consultations with Allies

Two senior officials from the Donald Trump administration also said that following the attack on the two tankers, the United States is consulting with its allies about possible options to protect international transit through the Strait of Hormuz and the waters of the Oman Sea.

According to Reuters, two American officials who requested anonymity told a small group of journalists that the United States wants to ensure that freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz continues and that international maritime commerce will not be disrupted.

One of these American officials, noting that such attacks are likely to continue, said, “We don’t think this is over.”

He added that various options are being examined.

According to this American official, these attacks were designed to have political consequences. He also raised the speculation that the attack may have been carried out with the aim of disrupting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Tehran.

“Video Footage”

The Pentagon released a video stating that at 4:10 p.m. local time, a Revolutionary Guards patrol boat approached the damaged tanker Kokuka and removed an “unexploded mine” from the hull of the tanker.

CNN also reports that sailors of the Kokuka tanker saw this unexploded mine on the hull of the ship.

A military expert told the network that their aim in removing this unexploded mine was to eliminate evidence of Iran’s connection to the attack.

Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State, identified Iran as responsible for the attack on the two tankers in the Oman Sea.

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s Foreign Minister, said that Thursday’s attacks were carried out to sabotage Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s diplomatic initiative through his visit to Tehran.

In this regard, Abbas Mousavi, spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, called the attack on the two tankers coinciding with the Japanese Prime Minister’s meeting with the leader of the Islamic Republic “suspicious” and expressed concern about it.

Source: Radio Farda