The owner of the Japanese tanker attacked in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday has apparently refuted Washington’s claim that a limpet mine was attached to the ship, according to media reports.
On Friday, shipowner Kokuka Sangyo’s president Yutaka Katada told reporters in Tokyo: “I do not think there was a time bomb or an object attached to the side of the ship.”
Based on the crew’s accounts, the 27,000-dwt Kokuka Courageous (built 2010) was damaged by two “flying objects”, according to Katada.
“The crew told us something came flying at the ship, and they found a hole,” Katada said. “Then some crew witnessed the second shot.”
Katada denied the possibility that the ship was hit by torpedoes as its holes were well above its waterline.
His remarks came after US authorities claimed Iranian forces removed an unexploded limpet mine from the chemical tanker.
A video release on Friday is alleged to show a Revolutionary Guard patrol ship removing the device from Kokuka Courageous.
Iran has denied involvement in Thursday’s suspected attacks amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US.
US Central Command spokesman Captain Bill Urban said in a statement: “The attacks are a clear threat to international freedom of navigation and freedom of commerce.
“The United States has no interest in engaging in a new conflict in the Middle East. However, we will defend our interests.”
