It comes to a new Gulf war? The dispute over the fixing of tankers in the Strait of Hormuz is only the latest development in a since weeks of ongoing conflict. We summarize what has happened so far.
A U.S. soldier aboard the USS Boxer, the occupation on 18. July is supposed to have shot down an Iranian drone
Since may, new reports of mysterious acts of sabotage can always set the ships and the downed drones and the fear of a military conflict in the Gulf region grow. Recently, the government announced in London, United Kingdom strive in the Tanker crisis of European support, while Iran wants to have a U.S. agent ring.
2. May: Almost a year after the unilateral exit of the USA from the nuclear deal with Iran by Washington against Tehran sanctions now complete. The measures mainly target for Iran, an important oil industry. So far, some countries, such as India and China were in the context of a derogation Oil from the Islamic Republic refer to. This transitional period is now over.
Tehran had threatened several times in the past to block the Strait of Hormuz, should exacerbate the US economic sanctions. The Strait between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman for the global supply of Crude oil is of great importance.
The eye of the global Oil supply: satellite image of Strait of Hormuz
In the second week of may, Washington announces the deployment of the aircraft carrier “USS Abraham Lincoln”, the “USS Arlington”, a bomber squadron and an air defence system in the Middle East. The National security adviser, John Bolton referred to the move as a “clear message to the Iranian Regime, that each attack is countered to the interests of the United States or its allies with relentless strength”.
The US Maritime administration warns that oil Tankers, commercial ships and war ships of the United States or its allies could be used by Iran to target.
Attacks on six ships in four weeks
13. May: Saudi Arabia reports an incident off the East coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In the case of sabotage, two Saudi had been damaged, cal tankers are strong. The incident had taken place about 140 kilometers to the South of the Strait of Hormuz.
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Attack on Tanker pushes Oil prices
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Attack on Tanker pushes Oil prices (13.05.2019)
Saudi Arabia’s energy Minister Khalid al-Falih explained that the attacks should be the “safety of the supply of Oil to the consumers around the world” is undermined. At a Meeting of EU foreign Ministers in Brussels, British foreign Minister, Jeremy Hunt, says: “We are very concerned about the risk that a conflict could be triggered.”
Later, a report of investigation of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Norway suggests that there is likely to be a state actor put behind the attack. US national security adviser John Bolton says it is “almost certain” that Iran was responsible. Tehran speaks of the “ridiculous claims”.
Four weeks after the incident, two oil Tankers, the “Front-Altair” from Norway and “Kokuka Courageous” from Japan caught in the Gulf of Oman, in the Brand. On the same day, the United States, citing intelligence information about Iran for the explosions on the ships responsible. US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo speaks of an “unacceptable escalation of tension with Iran”. The UK and Saudi Arabia share this assessment. Iran rejects all the accusations.
Confusion to drone launch
20. June: The Iranian revolutionary guards (IRGC) to share with, to have in the southern of province of Hormusgan a US spy drone shot down. Government reportedly, the drone was in international airspace in the Strait of Hormuz on-the-go circles in Washington. “Iran is making a very big mistake,” tweeted President Donald Trump.
Almost exactly a month later, Trump declares that the US Navy ship “USS Boxer” got shot down in the Strait of Hormuz an Iranian drone. The incident was “the latest of many provocative and hostile actions of Iran against ships operating in international waters,” said Trump. The Iranian government responded with a shrug: You miss not a drone, neither in the Strait of Hormuz and elsewhere.
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Shot down or not? Confusion a drone
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Shot down or not? Confusion a drone
4. July: The Tanker “Grace 1” is in front of Gibraltar, the authorities in the British territory, with the support of the Marine stopped. The suspicion: under the flag of Panama-propelled ship should deliver crude oil from Iran illegally to Syria. At the end of 2011 the EU had imposed sanctions against the war-torn country, including an Oil embargo. Iran is a close ally of Syria. Nearly a week after the incident, the Iranian President, Hassan Rohani, London threatens with “consequences” for the “foolish act”. The “Grace 1” until after a decision of the Supreme court of Gibraltar, at least to the 20. August is set to stay.
The United States plan, under which an international merger, which is intended to permit ships to pass the Strait of Hormuz for sure. The USA want to make command ships. Allied countries that want to join the Initiative, to send ships for patrols and escorting of merchant ships.
The Supertanker “Grace 1” in the waters of Gibraltar
Well a week after the seizure of the “Grace 1” informs the British government, three Iranian would have quickly tried boats in the Strait of Hormuz, to prevent the oil Tanker “British Heritage” at the beginning of travel, a government spokesman. The war ship “HMS Montrose” have intervened and the Iranian Crews asked to withdraw. Iran is fighting the allegations, and declared a few days later, he was in the Strait of Hormuz under the flag of Panama-propelled oil Tanker “Riah” is stopped, and the crew arrested. The revolutionary guards, according to the ship I want to smuggle fuel to the island of Lark in the Persian Gulf.
The fuel crisis expands
19. July: Tehran seized in the Strait of Hormuz, the British Tanker “Stena Impero”, and takes the 23 crew members. The revolution in garden to justify the step with a violation of “international Shipping regulations”. In addition, the “Stena Impero believed to have been involved” in an accident with a fishing boat, which denies the Crew. The British foreign Secretary, Hunt was threatened with “serious consequences”.
Washington announces, to want to American soldiers in Saudi Arabia are stationed. The measure serves as an additional deterrent measure, the US Central command Centcom. Riyadh, the arch-enemy Tehran, gives the green light.
The UK is aiming for a European protection mission in the Persian Gulf. He had already led several countries on such use, says Minister of foreign Affairs Hunt after an emergency meeting of the crisis Cabinet in London. The capture of the “Stena Impero” was an “act of state piracy”.
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European Sea Mission?
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European sea mission in the Strait of Hormuz? (22.07.2019)
24. July informed France’s foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian to the national Assembly in Paris over a planned Mission to “control and observation of Maritime security” in the Persian Gulf, the will prepared by Paris, London and Berlin.
22. July: Tehran wants a CIA spy ring uncovered in. The Iranian state television reported, citing the Ministry of Intelligence. 17 Iranian nationals were arrested, some of them have already been sentenced to death or to long terms of imprisonment. The Suspects had collected in the economic, military, nuclear power and other fields of secret information, they say. US President, Donald rejects the reports as false. “Zero Truth. Just more lies and Propaganda,” he writes on Twitter.