Reports from maritime security firms say a suspicious object has been discovered on the hull of an oil tanker located in the Persian Gulf off the coast of Iraq.
According to the firms, Ambrey Intelligence and Dryad Global, officials are concerned it could be a limpet mine on the MT Pola, even though the Liberian-flagged tanker received some assistance in the Persian Gulf off Basra on Thursday.
The two firms confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
The United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations, an organization that operates under the British royal navy, stated it is “aware of an ongoing situation” in the area, but did not give any more details.
The United States Navy’s 5th Fleet, which patrols the Mideast where the oil tanker is located, has not yet made any statements on the situation.
The incident comes at a time when tensions are at their highest between Iran and the United States. Back in 2019, the U.S. accused Iran of being behind several limpet mine attacks on oil tankers close to the Strait of Hormuz which is the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20 percent of all of the world’s oil passes. Iran officials deny having any involvement.
