United Nations, Jun 14 (IANS): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned attacks on two oil carriers in the Gulf of Oman, calling for the establishment of facts.

"I strongly condemn any attack against civilian vessels. Facts must be established, and responsibilities clarified," Xinhua quoted Guterres as saying to the Security Council meeting on the cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations on Thursday.

"If there is something the world cannot afford, it is a major confrontation in the Gulf region," he added.

Earlier Thursday, two oil tankers were hit in the Sea of Oman. At least one of them was operated by a Japanese company.

The attacks came amid Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to Iran, who is seeking to help ease tensions between Iran and the US.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has called the attacks on Japan-related tankers "suspicious," noting that they occurred while Abe was meeting with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "for extensive and friendly talks."

In May, four commercial vessels suffered similar sabotage off the coast of the UAE.