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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Four oil tankers anchored in the Mideast were damaged by what Gulf officials described as “sabotage,” though satellite images obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday showed no major visible damage to the vessels.

Details of the alleged sabotage to two Saudi, one Norwegian and one Emirati oil tanker on Sunday remained unclear, and Gulf officials have declined to say who they suspect was responsible. A statement from officials alleges the sabotage inflicted “significant damage” to the two Saudi ships.

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A U.S. official in Washington, without offering any evidence, told the AP that an American military team’s initial assessment indicated Iran or Iranian allies used explosives to blow holes in the ships. The official, who was not authorized to discuss the investigation, agreed to reveal the findings only if not quoted by name. The official said each ship sustained a 1.5- to 3-metre hole in it, near or just below the water line, suspected to have been caused by explosive charges. Emirati officials had requested a team of U.S. military investigators aid them in their probe.