Defense Minister Taro Kono conveys concerns to Iranian counterpart over rising tensions
Defense Minister Taro Kono spoke by phone Tuesday with his Iranian counterpart, Amir Hatami, conveying to him Japan's concerns over rising tensions in the Middle East. "80 percent of Japan's crude oil imports come through the Strait of Hormuz. The stability of the region is ...
Iran's president warned world leaders Wednesday that security in the energy-rich Persian Gulf could collapse quickly with a "single blunder," and he accused the United States of engaging in "merciless economic terrorism" against his country. On the same day as President Hassan Rouhani spoke, the ...
Abe expresses 'strong concern' over Middle East tensions and urges constructive role for Iran
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday told Iranian President Hassan Rouhani that Japan expects Iran to play a constructive role in stabilizing the Middle East, in the wake of attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities. Abe also urged Iran to fulfill its responsibility as a ...
Precision attack on Saudi oil facility seen as part of dangerous new pattern
The assault on the beating heart of Saudi Arabia's vast oil empire follows a new and dangerous pattern that's emerged across the Persian Gulf this summer of precise attacks that leave few obvious clues as to who launched them. Beginning in May with the still-unclaimed ...
Iran seized a boat and arrested 12 Filipinos as it busted a "fuel-smuggling ring" in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, the semi-official news agency ISNA reported. "A foreign tugboat was confiscated as well as 283,900 liters (75,000 gallons) of petrol worth 233.71 billion rials ...
Iran says Britain might release oil tanker soon but Gibraltar begs to differ
The British territory of Gibraltar will not yet release an Iranian oil tanker seized by Royal Marines in the Mediterranean despite an Iranian report that it could do so on Tuesday, an official Gibraltar source said. The commandeering of the Grace 1 on July 4 ...
British warship sets sail for U.S.-led tanker escort mission in Gulf
British warship HMS Kent set sail for the Gulf on Monday to join a U.S.-led mission protecting commercial shipping vessels in the region amid heightened political tension between the West and Iran. Britain has joined the United States in a maritime security mission in the ...
U.S. adviser John Bolton to urge tougher U.K. stance on Iran and China's Huawei
John Bolton, U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser, arrived in London on Sunday for talks at which he is expected to urge Britain to toughen its stance on Iran and Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei. As the United Kingdom prepares to leave the European Union ...
Suga hints Japan may send MSDF ships to join U.S.-led coalition off Iran after all
Oil-reliant Tokyo is looking to compromise because it doesn’t want to offend Tehran by formally joining Washington’s shipping coalition in the Strait of Hormuz.
U.K. joins U.S. in Gulf escort mission after Iran taunts and ship seizures
Britain said Monday it will join forces with the United States to protect merchant vessels in the Gulf amid heightened tensions with Iran, after Tehran taunted Washington that its allies were too "ashamed" to join the mission. Britain's decision to form the joint maritime task ...
Iran's next move, and how the U.S. and its allies can stop it
The U.S. and its European allies must get ready to sweep mines, escort tankers, launch cyberattacks and, perhaps, sink Iranian ships.
Diplomats recommit to saving Iran deal and opposing U.S. sanctions
Diplomats from Iran and five world powers recommitted Sunday to salvaging a major nuclear deal amid mounting tensions between the West and Tehran since the U.S. withdrew from the accord and reimposed sanctions. Representatives of Iran, Germany, France, Britain, China, Russia and the European Union ...
