US Warships Escort Oil Tanker Attacked in Indian Ocean

The U.S. Navy said Saturday two American warships were escorting an Israeli-operated oil tanker to a safe port after it was attacked Thursday off the coast of Oman, killing two crew members.

The tanker, the Mercer Street, is a Liberian-flagged, Japanese-owned vessel, managed by Zodiac Maritime.  The U.S. Central Command said in a statement that American navy explosives experts are aboard the tanker to ensure the safety of the crew. The command also said the U.S. Navy is “prepared to support an investigation into the attack,” which it said may have been a drone attack. “Initial indications clearly point to a UAV-style [drone] attack,” the command said.