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'Sabotage': Saudi Oil Tankers Damaged in the Middle East, so Whodunnit?

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Following CBN News' Mark Martin's report, watch as CBN News' Senior International Correspondent George Thomas gives an update the attack on the Saudi oil vessels. 

Two Saudi oil tankers and a Norwegian-flagged vessel have become the victims of a "sabotage" attack in the Middle East. The incident comes during a time of increasing tensions between the US and Iran.

Sunday's attack, in which the two Saudi tankers and the Norwegian vessel were damaged, happened in the Gulf of Oman off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. One of the tankers was damaged as it was about to pick up Saudi oil to ship it to the United States.

Details of what exactly happened remain unclear, but it made the region – which is extremely important for global energy supplies – less safe for shippers.

Following the attack which Gulf officials described as "sabotage," the US issued a new warning to sailors, and the UAE's regional allies condemned the alleged attack.

The UAE says four ships were actually targeted off one of its port cities.

Gulf officials decline to say who they believe is behind the alleged attack, but the US has alerted ships that "Iran or its proxies" could be targeting maritime traffic in the area.

The United States also has deployed an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf in response to threats from Iran.

Tensions are mounting between the US and Iran over the unraveling nuclear deal with world powers.

A US official told the Associated Press that American naval investigators were helping the UAE with their investigation.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo departed from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland late Sunday night. He changed the schedule for his latest trip to Europe, deciding to stop in Brussels instead of Moscow to talk about Iran and other issues with leaders in Europe.

Tensions increased after President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal between world powers and Iran. He also restored sanctions that have taken their toll on Iran's economy.

Iran warned last week that it would start enriching uranium at higher levels in 60 days if world leaders did not come up with new terms for the deal.
    
Saudi Arabia's energy minister said the attack did not "lead to any casualties or oil spill."  He did say it had an effect on "the security of oil supplies to consumers all over the world."

Iran's foreign ministry requested more clarification about what exactly happened with the vessels. He also warned against any "conspiracy orchestrated by ill-wishers."

The article was written using Associated Press materials.

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About The Author

Mark
Martin

Mark Martin currently serves as a reporter and anchor at CBN News, reporting on all kinds of issues, from military matters to alternative fuels. Mark has reported internationally in the Middle East. He traveled to Bahrain and covered stories on the aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Mark also anchors CBN News Midday on the CBN Newschannel and fills in on the anchor desk for CBN News' Newswatch and The 700 Club. Prior to CBN News, Mark worked at KFSM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Fort Smith, Arkansas. There he served as a weekend morning producer, before being promoted to general