At least two merchant vessels said they were hit by gunfire as they attempted to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, news agency Reuters reported, citing three maritime security and shipping sources.
The impact was not immediately clear.
The British military also reported that two gunboats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard fired at a tanker transiting the strait, shortly after Iran announced fresh restrictions on the crucial waterway.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said the incident took place 20 nautical miles north-east of Oman. It added that the tanker and its crew were safe.
The developments came hours after Iran announced a renewed blockade of the strait, following a brief reopening during negotiations with the United States.
In a televised statement, Iran’s military command accused Washington of breaking its promise by continuing a naval blockade on ships travelling to and from Iranian ports.
Until the United States restores freedom of navigation for vessels linked to Iran, “the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain strictly controlled,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Iran had reopened the Strait of Hormuz, but added that the US would maintain its blockade until a deal with Tehran is reached.
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