Relations between the United States — allied with the UAE and Saudi Arabia — and Iran have also worsened. The two ships that were struck Thursday appeared to have been more seriously damaged than those hit in May. The Houthi faction in Yemen, backed by Iran, has launched attacks recently on targets in Saudi Arabia, including oil pipelines, fuelling fears of a wider conflict. Among U.S. military and intelligence officials in the Persian Gulf region, suspicion immediately fell on possible Iranian complicity. “The cargo of methanol is intact.” Iran’s state news media confirmed the attacks on the two tankers and the rescue of 44 mariners.

Source: thestar June 13, 2019 15:29 UTC