Ship burns as Iran claims 3 tankers hit mines in Strait of Hormuz

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BY Associated Press | POSTED BY TOE Iran says three tankers struck mines and exploded while attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz through an unauthorized route. Israelis are awaiting final election results as allegations of foreign interference have emerged. And in Yemen, Iran-backed Houthi rebels said a Saudi strike killed 12 people, and another hit a paint factory and could release toxins into the water and soil near the besieged city of Taiz . Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Thursday. Read our full coverage here . Iran says 3 oil tankers struck mines in the Strait of Hormuz Iran said three oil tankers exploded and caught fire after striking naval mines over the past 24 hours while attempting to transit an unauthorized route in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the state broadcaster, which cited the Revolutionary Guard Corps. The report did not identify the tankers or provide details about casualties. The Associated Press could not immedia...
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UK, France, Germany raise alarm about Chinese activities off eastern Taiwan

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By Reuters and Posted by TOE

Britain, France and Germany raised the alarm on Wednesday over recent Chinese activities off the ‌east coast of Taiwan, where China has mounted coast guard ‌patrols, saying they threaten regional stability and freedom of navigation.

China, which views democratically ​governed Taiwan as its own territory, earlier in June sent coast guard ships into the waters off the island’s east coast for what it called a “special maritime traffic law-enforcement operation”, angering Taipei.

China said the ‌operation was in response ⁠to Japan and the Philippines, saying they would begin formal talks on their maritime boundaries, which Beijing viewed ⁠as involving Chinese waters off Taiwan.

China has also been sending maritime survey ships into the same waters.

“We have noted with concern novel ​Chinese activity ​in the waters east of Taiwan,” ​the de facto British, ‌French and German embassies in Taipei said in a rare joint statement.

“These actions threaten regional stability and the freedom of navigation and safety of international shipping. We reiterate our opposition to any unilateral change to the status quo, particularly by threat or use of ‌force or coercion,” they said.

“It is fundamental ​that all navigational rights and freedoms ​and the safety of seafarers ​and vessels are guaranteed and respected.”

China’s foreign ministry ‌did not immediately respond to a ​Reuters request for ​comment.

Britain, France and Germany, like most countries, have no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. But like many Western countries, they ​have repeatedly voiced ‌concern at Chinese pressure against Taiwan, whose government rejects Beijing’s ​sovereignty claims.



from The Times Of Earth https://ift.tt/gsKQ4G5

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