Fears Trump and Iran could stumble into all out war as US-bound oil tankers are sabotaged and America sends warship to the Gulf

AMERICA and Iran are in danger of stumbling into war as tensions between the two countries continue to rise, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has warned.

A huge US naval presence has built up in the Gulf over recent days amid a fevered standoff between Washington and Tehran.

The build up came after US intelligence revealed Iran was on the verge of carrying out offensive action to disrupt and attack American and partner interests in the region.

It comes as two Saudi oil tankers carrying crude oil bound for the United States were hit by a “sabotage attack” off the United Arab Emirates.

Mr Hunt said he would be speaking to visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as well as European allies about fears a war could erupt accidentally.

“We are very worried about the risk of a conflict happening by accident, with an escalation that is unintended really on either side but ends with some kind of conflict,” he said.

“What we need is a period of calm to make sure that everyone understands what the other side is thinking.”

Saudi energy minister Khalid Al-Falih revealed the tankers suffered “significant damage” – although it was unclear what the attack involved.

WAR FEARS

He said: “Fortunately, the attack didn’t lead to any casualties or oil spill; however, it caused significant damage to the structures of the two vessels.”

US intelligence revealed Iran was on the verge of carrying out offensive action to disrupt and attack American and partner interests in the region.

It led to the deployment of US aircraft carriers, Patriot missiles and B-52 bombers over recent days.
On Friday, a senior Iranian cleric said the US fleet could be wiped out “with a single missile”.

And the hardline Iranian Revolutionary Guard said it was not prepared to enter into talks with President Donald Trump – who had called for negotiations over ending Iran’s nuclear programme.

Just minutes before the sabotage attack was revealed today, the US Maritime Administration warned shippers to exercise caution when travelling past Fujairah.

The general-secretary of the Gulf Cooperation Council described the sabotage as a “serious escalation” in an overnight statement.

Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani said: “Such irresponsible acts will increase tension and conflicts in the region and expose its peoples to great danger.”

Earlier this month, the Maritime Administration warned that U.S. commercial ships including oil tankers sailing through key Middle East waterways could be targeted by Iran in one of the threats to U.S. interests posed by Tehran.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman called the incidents on Sunday to ships near the coast of Fujairah “worrisome and dreadful”, and asked for an investigation into the matter.

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