Iran Press/ Asia: The Japanese government expressed concern on Tuesday over the United States’ plans to deploy additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East following the recent attacks on oil tankers in the Sea of Oman.
Then US Secretary of Defense, Patrick Shanahan announced on Monday that the US plans to send more soldiers to the Middle East, Mehr news agency reported.
Shanahan added that the United States was not seeking a conflict with Iran and the additional forces were being sent to protect US interests and personnel in the region.
Related news:
US sending 1,000 more troops to Mideast
"It is a matter of deep concern that tensions will escalate in the region of the Middle East", Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasutoshi Nishimura told a briefing, as cited by Kyodo news agency.
Two oil tankers, Kokuka Courageous and Front Altair, suffered explosions and fires in the Sea of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz on last Thursday.
Related news:
Explosions of two oil tankers in Gulf of Oman
While the causes of the incident remain unknown, the United States claimed that Iran had attacked the vessels. However, Washington had not provided any evidence to support its claims.
Iran has denied all the allegations of having a role in the incident and rejected US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's anti-Iran accusations, saying the suspicious nature of the recent attacks on two oil tankers in the Sea of Oman is "not funny or ridiculous but alarming".
Related news:
Iran rejects US claims about attack on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned against attempts to lay the blame on Iran before any thorough investigation into the incident.
204/207
Read more:
Talks with Japanese PM fruitful, valuable: Rouhani
