US Navy sends second ship to Gulf of Oman after attacks

The US Navy (USN) said it has sent a second guided-missile destroyer, USS Mason (DDG 87), to the Gulf of Oman “to provide assistance” in the aftermath of tanker attacks there, while the US also disavows any desire to start a conflict in the region.

The USN sent a second guided-missile destroyer, USS Mason (DDG 87), to the Gulf of Oman. (US Navy)

Tankers M/V Front Altair and M/V Kokuka Courageous suffered what the USN has identified as mine attacks while operating in international waters of the Gulf of Oman.

“(Guided-missile destroyer) USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) was operating in the vicinity and provided immediate assistance to the M/V Kokuka Courageous , US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Earl Brown said in a 13 June statement. “Twenty-one mariners from the M/V Kokuka Courageous , who abandoned ship, are currently aboard USS Bainbridge ,” Lt Col Brown said.

“USS Bainbridge remains in close contact with the M/V Kokuka Courageous and is the on-scene US command authority,” he said. “No interference with USS Bainbridge , or its mission, will be tolerated.”

Mason is en route to help with operations.

“We have no interest in engaging in a new conflict in the Middle East,” Lt Col Brown said. “We will defend our interests, but a war with Iran is not in our strategic interest, nor in the best interest of the international community.”