BAGHDAD (AP) – The Iraqi military said on Saturday that explosives experts with their naval forces had successfully dismantled a mine that was discovered attached to an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf.
The statement said Iraqi authorities had opened an investigation into the incident. No group has taken responsibility for placing the mine.
The announcement came a day after Iraq confirmed reports from private security firms that a mine had been discovered attached to a leased tanker from Iraq’s Oil Marketing Company, known as SOMO, while it was refueling another vessel. It said Iraqi teams were working to dismantle the mine.
Iraq did not provide further details, but the two private security companies said the discovery was probably a limpet mine on MT Pola, a Liberian-flagged tanker.
A limpet mine is a type of naval mine that is attached to the side of a ship, usually by a diver who is a member of the special forces. Later, it explodes and can significantly damage a vessel.
The discovery came amid mounting tensions between Iran and the United States in the last days of President Donald Trump’s administration.
The United States has already flown B-52 bombers and sent a nuclear submarine to the Persian Gulf about what Trump officials describe as the possibility of an Iranian attack on the one-year anniversary of the American drone attack near Baghdad that killed one. important Iranian general and an important leader of the Iraqi militia.
Iraq is celebrating its anniversary with a series of events this week, including a ceremony at Baghdad airport on Saturday night, where the drone attack that killed the two men a year ago took place.