US-Iran dispute escalates over oil tanker attack. Here's all you need to know

US-Iran conflict strained furr after  US held Iran responsible for two oil tankers that were blazed in Gulf of Oman, basing accusation on ir initial piece of intelligence, to which Iran retaliated refuting allegations. 

On June 13, two oil tankers were attacked in Strait of Hormuz, world's most significant oil artery, which consequently led to global fluster and soaring of oil prices. Out of two tankers, one rwegian owned Front Altair, and second, Kokuka Courous was owned by Japan. 

timing of incident concurred with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to Tehran to meet with Iran's Supreme Leer Ayatollah Ali Khamenei seeking to alleviate tensity surging between Tehran and Washington, which, however, turned out to be futile after Khamenei proclaimed that re was ' way he would talk to America.'

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United States' version

A day after incident, on June 14, Iran called oil tanker attack 'suspicious', concurrently, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo later on same day, without providing shreds of any tangible evidence stated that attack was a part of a "campaign" of "escalating tension" by Iran, furr calling it a threat to international security and peace. 

He said, "It is assessment of United States that Islamic Republic of Iran is responsible for attacks."

"This is based on intelligence, weapons used, level of expertise needed to execute operation, recent similar Iranian attacks on shipping, and fact that proxy group operating in area has resources and proficiency to act with such a high degree of sophistication," he ded. 

Later in day, a grainy video was released to back ir allegation, which claimed that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) approached tanker and removed an unexploded mine from side. 

Consolidating ir stand, US President explicitly claimed on an international news channel that 'Iran did do it.' 

Iran's version

In a stern retaliation to imputation, Tehran censured claim, calling it 'ridiculous' and 'dangerous'

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohamm Jav Zarif fought back and said that US is making accusations without a 'shred of factual or circumstantial evidence'

He said, " US h immediately jumped to make allegations against Iran without a shred of factual or circumstantial evidence."

Moreover stated that this was an intent by Washington and its allies- Saudi Arabia and UAE to move to 'plan B'  to cripple diplomacy. 

Global version

Trump ministration's fondest ally, Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman on June 16 taking a synchrous tone of US, accused rival Iran of attacks.  Crown prince furr stated that although Kingdom wants ' war' it 'won't hesitate to deal with any threat' and called global community to punish Iran 'using all means'

He furr accused Iranian establishment of disrespected Japanese Prime Minister, who was in region to defuse tensions. 

Similarly, UK echoing stance of ally US said that attacks 'almost certainly' lies with Iran, a statement which was strongly deunced by Tehran. Iran's Foreign Ministry on Saturday summoned British ambassor to Tehran, Rob Macaire, over UK's "unacceptable stance" on attack 

Meanwhile, United Nations, Russia, and Qatar called for an international probe into attack.

Russia came to Iran's support and warned against "hasty conclusions" over incident. "I would use this opportunity to warn against hasty conclusions, from any attempts to impose responsibility on those who are seen as undesirable," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said. 

Similar to episode on Thursday, four or tankers were destroyed in same region in May, for which US blamed Iran. attack led to ascend of Brent crude oil prices over 3%.  

Trump's foreign policy to paralyze Iran's nuclear program has left world inkling of a probable military confrontation between two. Meanwhile, critics of Trump ministration have maintained that White House is trying to provoke Iran.

However, attempt to choke Iran's oil tre has t brought a change in Iran's conduct as Khamenei categorically said that he does t see Trump 'worthy of any mess exchange' and that he has reply for him 'w or in future'

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US-Iran tensions

Tehran-Washington tensions flared after US President Donald Trump took office and pulled out of nuclear deal in 2018, fetching criticism from even allies. 

White House played out a 'maximum pressure' policy, tightened sanctions against Iran in a move to sabot country's oil exports to ne, in an attempt to consequently tremble Iran's ecomy.

Recently, US even labeled Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a 'terror outfit' and intensified ir military presence in Gulf citing a certain 'threat' from Iran. 

Holding restraint to Washington, Tehran accused US of executing 'psychological warfare' and 'ecomic terrorism' against Iran.  

US officials have specified that India and seven or countries who still import oil from Iran as a part of special exemptions will t be given an extension furr, following which New Delhi will t be able to maintain its oil tre. 

Iran for a second row has become India's top oil supplier