Jeremy Hunt: Attack On Oil Tankers "Almost Certainly" Carried Out By Iran

15 June 2019, 07:28 | Updated: 15 June 2019, 08:54

Fire and smoke seen billowing from an oil tanker believed to have been attacked in the water of the Gulf of Oman.
Fire and smoke seen billowing from an oil tanker believed to have been attacked in the water of the Gulf of Oman. Picture: Getty

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt says an attack on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman was "almost certainly" carried out by Iran.

The Foreign Secretary has said that two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman were "almost certainly" carried out by Iran, saying they built on a "pattern of destabilising Iranian behaviour and pose a series danger to the region".

On Friday, the United States released video footage they say shows Iranian special forces removing an unexploded mine from one of the tankers.

But Tehran's Foreign Minister accused the US of "immediately jumping to make allegations without a shred of factual or circumstantial evidence."

The Foreign Office said there was a "recent precedent for attacks by Iran against oil tankers", adding: "No other state or non-state actor could plausibly have been responsible," the FCO said.

"We are confident that Iran bears responsibility for that attack."

And Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the attacks were on "a pattern of destabilising Iranian behaviour and pose a serious danger to the region."

Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn
Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn. Picture: Getty

Jeremy Corbyn warned the government risked a threat of war with its rhetoric and should avoid 'fuelling a military escalation'.

In a tweet, the Labour Leader wrote: "Britain should act to ease tensions in the Gulf, not fuel a military escalation that began with US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement.

"Without credible evidence about the tanker attacks, the government's rhetoric will only increase the threat of war."

Mr Hunt responded to the tweet by saying: "Pathetic and predictable. From Salisbury to the Middle East, why can hen ever bring himself to back British allies, British intelligence, or British interests?"

More to follow...

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Andrew Tate is facing allegations of trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering

Trump team 'pressuring Romania to lift restrictions on Andrew Tate'

Skyrora, a rocket company with its headquarters in Edinburgh

Scottish company promises to blast rockets into space from 2026

A petition calling for major driving licence changes has received almost 100,000 signatures

Petition calls for ban on newly-qualified drivers carrying passengers under 25

The Princess of Wales has shares portraits drawn by her three children during the half-term break.

Princess of Wales shares heartwarming portraits drawn by George, Charlotte and Louis - but who drew who?

Double Olympic champion and Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas will retire from cycling this year.

Tour de France winner and double Olympic champion Geraint Thomas to retire from cycling at end of season

A 13-year-old boy has died and five others have been arrested following  a car crash on A672 Oldham Road.

Boy, 13, dies and five others arrested as Vauxhall Corsa spins off road in horror car crash

Lisa Smith, 43, was named by Kent Police

Pictured: Mother-of-two shot dead at pub on Valentine's Day - as police search river Thames for partner

Julia Wandelt who has claimed to be Madeleine McCann

Woman who claims to be Madeleine McCann releases bombshell new DNA test results

Pope Francis will need to remain in hospital with a respiratory tract infection

Pope to remain in hospital with infection as doctors tackle 'complex clinical picture'

One lucky punter scooped £65m on the EuroMillions

Lucky UK ticket-holder claims £65m Valentine's Day EuroMillions jackpot

A life-drawing class that has been running for over 30 years has been told its models must cover-up or find a new venue.

Models at life drawing class in posh London neighbourhood told to cover up over child 'safeguarding' concerns

Exclusive
An investigation by LBC can reveal there are more than 1.1m homes sitting empty across England - the equivalent of one in every 23.

More than 1.1m homes sitting empty across England as thousands left at risk of homelessness

William Howell was found dead in the Aria Casino Hotel in August 2023

Heartbroken family of British man 'left alone to die' in Las Vegas suing ambulance company and hotel where he died

Conor Maynard shared a health update after his fall

Singer Conor Maynard gives health update after being rushed to hospital on stretcher

Lisa Smith, 43, has been named by Kent Police as the victim of the shooting on Valentine's Day

Mother-of-two shot dead at pub on Valentines’ Day is named - as tributes paid to ‘wonderful mum’

Bafta winners

Conclave and The Brutalist win big at 2025 BAFTA awards - as absent Gascón nomination met with rousing applause