LONDON, June 16, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt
warned Saturday there was a “great risk” of escalation in the Gulf, adding
that Washington wanted the situation to end in negotiations.
A Japanese-owned tanker, the Kokuka Courageous, and a Norwegian-operated
one, the Front Altair, were attacked on Thursday and left ablaze as they were
passing through the Gulf of Oman.
Britain has concluded that responsibility “almost certainly” lies with
Iran.
Asked on BBC television about the possibility of escalation, he said: “This
is the great risk of the situation that we are in.
“Both sides in this dispute think that the other side wouldn’t want a war.
We are urging all sides to de-escalate.
“Having spoken to President Trump, I am absolutely clear that for America
they want this to end in negotiations.
“Let’s see Iran stop its destabilising activities in Lebanon through
Hezbollah, in Yemen where they are firing missiles into Saudi Arabia, on the
Gulf as we have seen. That is the long-term solution.”
The damaged Kokuka Courageous arrived Sunday at a UAE anchorage site as
Saudi Arabia accused arch-rival Iran of being behind the attack.
US President Donald Trump has said the twin attacks had Iran “written all
over it” — rejecting Tehran’s vehement denial.
Hunt defended his assertion that Iran was “almost certain” to blame for the
attacks.
“We have done our own intelligence assessment. We have got videos of what
happened. We have seen evidence. We don’t believe anyone else could have done
this,” he said.
The owner of the Japanese vessel said Friday in Tokyo however that the crew
saw a “flying object” prior to a second blast on board citing two apparent
attacks.
He added he believed initial reports suggesting a torpedo was involved in
the attack were incorrect as the damage was above the sea surface not below
water, which would have suggested a torpedo.