Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Friday they had seized a British-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz for breaking international maritime rules as tensions mount in the highly sensitive waterway.
An undetermined number of small Iranian boats Wednesday tried to divert the oil tanker British Heritage of the United Kingdom in the Hormuz Strait but withdrew after dissuasive action from the Royal Navy's HMR Montrose, it was reported. No shots were fired during the incident.
United States president Donald Trump targeted Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top Iranian officials with sanctions taking a dramatic, unprecedented step to increase pressure on Iran after Tehran’s downing of an unmanned American drone.
The United States launched cyber attacks against Iranian missile control systems and a spy network after Tehran downed an American surveillance drone, according to US media reports.
United States president Donald Trump said on Friday he aborted a military strike to retaliate for Iran's downing of an unmanned US drone because it could have killed 150 people, and signalled he was open to talks with Tehran.
United States President Donald Trump approved military strikes against Iran in retaliation for downing a US surveillance drone but pulled back from launching them on Thursday night after a day of escalating tensions.
Iran dismissed as “baseless” on Friday US accusations it executed twin attacks that left two tankers ablaze in the Gulf of Oman, raising fears of conflict in the strategically vital waterway.
Iran's youth will witness the demise of Israel and American civilization, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday in comments published on his official website.
President Donald Trump issued an ominous warning to Iran on Sunday suggesting that if the Islamic republic attacks American interests, it will be destroyed.
Oil prices edged up on Thursday to extend gains into a third straight session, as tensions in the Middle East stoked fears of potential disruptions to supply. Brent crude futures were at US$72.04 a barrel at 0110 GMT, up 27 cents, or 0.4per cent, from their last close. Brent closed up 0.7per cent on Wednesday.