Japan sets up task force after ships attacked

Japan sets up task force after ships attacked

The tankers 'Front Altair' and 'Kokuka Courageous' movements are shown in this still image taken from an animation obtained June 13, 2019 from social media. (MarineTraffic via Reuters)
The tankers 'Front Altair' and 'Kokuka Courageous' movements are shown in this still image taken from an animation obtained June 13, 2019 from social media. (MarineTraffic via Reuters)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Japanese trade minister says two tankers carrying "Japan-related'' cargo were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz.

Hiroshige Seko said on Thursday that all crewmembers were safely rescued. He said the government has set up a task force and that the government has informed the shipping industry to use precautions.

The Japan Shipowners' Association said one of the two ships attacked is a Panamanian-registered chemical tanker belonging to its Japanese member and was on its way to Singapore and Thailand, not to Japan.

It said all 21 Filipino crewmembers were uninjured.

The attacks came as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was wrapping up a two-day trip to Iran with a mission to ease tensions between Tehran and Washington.

No one has claimed responsibility or explained how the tankers were attacked.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneni said earlier while Tehran doesn't want an atomic bomb, "America could not do anything'' to stop Iran if it did.

Khamenei made the comment on Thursday during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who came to Tehran as an interlocutor for President Donald Trump to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran.

His visit may not have succeeded, however. Khamenei earlier was quoted as saying Iran "will in no way repeat'' negotiations with the US amid tension over its unravelling nuclear deal with world powers.

Khamenei's official website quoted him as telling Abe: "I don't regard Trump as deserving any exchange of messages and have no response for him and will give no response.''

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