The UAE on Wednesday welcomed the decision and willingness of Western countries to join the investigation into the recent shipping sabotage incidents in waters off the Fujairah coast.
The investigation into the attacks, which targeted four tankers that carried Emirati, Saudi, and Norwegian flags earlier this month, will include the United States, France and Norway.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) said in a statement: “The participation of our international partners in the investigation will help us arrive at impartial conclusions in a transparent manner. That is precisely what the UAE wants from this probe.
“The ongoing joint investigations reflect the international community’s determination to protect maritime security, the flow of international trade, and energy supplies,” it added.
With the participation of UAE’s international partners, the investigation will continue in the proper manner and will conclude in due course, MoFAIC said.
Neither Saudi Arabia nor the UAE gave details on the nature of the attacks.
Fujairah port is the only Emirati terminal located on the Arabian Sea coast, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, through which most Gulf oil exports pass.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait in case of a military confrontation with the United States.
Follow us on
