Strike on Two Tankers in suspected attacks in the Gulf of Oman and Iran’s Reaction
On June 13, 2019, again, two tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman, and this incident was right after one month of similar attacks. Last month’s attacks were not investigated as well, and there were no serious efforts to probe the matter. After one month, a similar attack took place in the gulf. The incident alarms the world, and there has been a reaction from across the globe. Before putting the responsibility for the incident in any country, it would be useful to have a look at this event.
There has not been any casualty in these incidents as it has been reported that 44 crew members were rescued after the attack. Initially, every country condemned these attacks and ensured to show restraint to calm down the situation in the region. If reactions are evaluated from all countries, it is found that they have advised to ensure peace in the region. Reaction from the European Union, Britain, Iran, Kuwait, and Japan has been towards the same spirit of ensuring peace.
Attacked tankers had Japanese and Norwegian origin, and they raised alarm bells in those countries. Japanese Prime Minister visited Iran and made the statement that Iran was not prepared to make a nuclear weapon. First, it was noted that this statement was made by the Prime Minister, but later, it is found that he was quoting the Iranian Supreme Leader. In this context, the importance of this statement goes down because Iran has made such claims before as well. Moreover, it is also possible that the Japanese Prime Minister has tried to keep the interests of Japan in gulf safe. It is easy to understand when one of the two tankers belonged to Japan, and it might have forced Japan to contact the Iranian leadership quickly.
Interestingly, Iran is along with other countries to condemn these attacks, and it has highlighted that its rescue teams have rescued members boarded on those tankers. In the same way, it has called for the need for the negotiation. First, these attacks are suspected, and then there is this strange reaction of Iran. It is to remember that Iran is facing sanctions from Iran, and it is under pressure. It has high interests in different countries of the Middle East as it has been supporting like-minded elements in different countries. Therefore, its quick reaction fostering the need for dialogue is not easy to understand.
Although, the purpose of this article is to shed light on this critically important incident in the Gulf, especially when similar attacks took place one month before. The Gulf of Oman is one of the busiest routes of oil tankers and any confrontation there have deeper effects in the world. There is an increase in oil prices and a decline in gulf markets after this attack. The impact of these attacks on Iran is unknown because Iran is facing sanctions, and its oil trade has been already at low levels. Therefore, these suspected attacks should be seen through the lens of loss and benefit where Iran has nothing to lose while other regional countries have much to lose.
