US presents more evidence of Iran attacking oil tankers in Gulf of Oman

"Iran is responsible for the attack based on video evidence, sources, and the expertise they had to quickly remove the unexploded mine," the Pentagon said in a statement on June 17, along with new images collected by a US Navy MH-60R helicopter from the scene of the attack on the Kokuka Courage tanker in the Gulf of Oman last week.

One of the photos was described by the Pentagon as “the magnetic remains of an unexploded mine.” Other images show the unexploded mine, its location on the ship’s hull, an Iranian navy patrol boat approaching the ship, and a team removing the mine.

The US last week released a black-and-white video showing a group of men on an Iranian naval boat removing a mine, but did not explain why the group did so while being monitored by a US military helicopter.

Tensions have been rising in the Gulf as Washington has accused Tehran of being behind the attacks on two oil tankers, the Japanese-owned Kokura Courageous and the Norwegian-owned Front Altair, on the morning of June 13. The explosions caused holes in the Kokura Courageous and a fire on the Front Altair, but all 44 crew members on both ships were rescued.

Iran has denied any involvement in the attack, suggesting that the US itself may have attacked the two tankers to pressure Tehran and impose further economic sanctions. The crew of the Kokuka Courageous said they saw a “flying object” before the second explosion on the ship.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington is not ruling out a military option against Tehran. The US has also deployed additional destroyers and 1,000 troops to the region to "ensure the safety of US troops deployed in the Middle East and protect Washington's national interests".

Russia has condemned the attack on the two tankers and criticized the hasty apportionment of responsibility without an international investigation. Moscow stressed that dialogue was the only way to resolve tensions and called on all parties involved to exercise restraint.