Iranian Spokesman Voices Concern about “Suspicious” Tanker Incident in Oman Sea
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi voiced concern about a suspicious incident involving two oil tankers in the Sea of Oman which occurred during Japanese prime minister’s meeting with Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Tehran.
“We express concern about today’s suspicious incidents involving Japan-related trade oil tankers that occurred simultaneous with the meeting between that country’s (Japan’s) prime minister and Leader of the Revolution,” Mousavi said in a post on his Twitter account on Thursday.
Iran believes that the incident runs counter to the regional and extra-regional efforts and policies for reducing tensions and creating calm in the region, he added.
The spokesman also reiterated Iran’s support for regional cooperation and dialogue.
His comments came after Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif deplored the reported attack on the oil tankers south of Iran, saying, “Suspicious doesn't begin to describe what likely transpired this morning.”
On Thursday, the Iranian maritime rescue forces evacuated the crew of two large oil tankers hit by two successive blasts in the Sea of Oman.
A total of 44 sailors are believed to have been transferred to Iran's port city of Jask in the southern province of Hormozgan.
The incident took place while Japan’s visiting prime minister was holding a meeting with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei in Tehran.
Abe arrived in Tehran on Wednesday and became the first Japanese leader to visit Iran in more than 4 decades.
