The United Nations will investigate reports of attacks on two Saudi Arabian oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, the world body's deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said in a press briefing on Monday
WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 13th May, 2019) The United Nations will investigate reports of attacks on two Saudi Arabian oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, the world body's deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said in a press briefing on Monday."We are looking into the matter and are trying to get more information about what exactly has transpired," Haq told reporters.
The deputy spokesperson said that freedom of navigation needs to respected everywhere, including in this case.
Earlier on Monday, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Falih confirmed that two Saudi oil tankers had suffered an act of sabotage on Sunday off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, one of the two vessels was on its way to Ras Tanura port to be loaded with Saudi crude oil aimed for Saudi Aramco's customers in the United States. The attack did not inflict casualties or an oil spill, but damaged the tankers' structure, the Saudi Press Agency said.
Falih condemned the attack as an attempt to undermine the security of the global crude oil supplies and stressed the responsibility of the entire international community in ensuring the safety of maritime navigation and preventing risks to the global economy.
The news of the attacks came days after the US Maritime Administration warned that Iran could target commercial sea traffic in the region.
A spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the acts of sabotage against the vessels in United Arab Emirates territorial waters and called for an investigation.
