Saturday 15 June 2019 3:32 pm

Jeremy Hunt slams Corbyn’s ‘pathetic’ response to oil tanker attack blamed on Iran

A picture obtained by AFP from Iranian News Agency ISNA on June 13, 2019 reportedly shows fire and smoke billowing from Norwegian owned Front Altair tanker said to have been attacked in the waters of the Gulf of Oman. – Suspected attacks left two tankers in flames in the waters of the Gulf of Oman today, sending world oil prices soaring as Iran helped rescue stricken crew members. The mystery incident, the second involving shipping in the strategic sea lane in only a few weeks, came amid spiralling tensions between Tehran and Washington, which has pointed the finger at Iran over earlier tanker attacks in May. (Photo by – / ISNA / AFP) (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)

The foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt has branded Jeremy Corbyn “pathetic” after the Labour leader said there was no credible evidence that Iran attacked two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.

Corbyn accused the government of increasing the threat of war after the foreign office said it was “almost certain” the Iranian military were behind the attack.

The foreign secretary hit back, branding Corbyn’s response “pathetic and predictable” and accusing the Labour leader of failing to back British interests.

Two oil tankers – the Front Altair and Kokuka Courageous – were set on fire in attacks in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday.

The US has accused Iran of being the perpetrator of the attacks, which the country has denied.

Hunt has previously condemned the attack but called for diplomatic solutions to be found.

The attacks sparked fears of escalating tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and follows several attacks on oil tankers last month.

Corbyn criticised the UK response and said the government was fuelling military escalation.

He said: “Britain should act to ease tensions in the Gulf, not fuel a military escalation that began with US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement.

“Without credible evidence about the tanker attacks, the government’s rhetoric will only increase the threat of war.”

Hunt, who won the second highest number of votes in the first round of the Tory leadership contest on Thursday, said Corbyn had once again failed to stand up for British interests.

“Pathetic and predictable. From Salisbury to the Middle East, why can he never bring himself to back British allies, British intelligence or British interests?” Hunt said on Twitter earlier today.

Last month’s attack was followed by an attack on Saudi oil pumping stations inland.

The Saudis blamed Iran-backed Houthi fighters from Yemen.