Iran on Monday reportedly targeted a U.S. warship trying to enter the Strait of Hormuz, forcing it to turn back, a claim quickly disputed by the U.S. Central Command.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters Iran had fired a warning shot and that it was unclear whether the warship had been damaged.
Oil prices jumped 5% on renewed concerns that the vital oil route, already shut for over two months at huge cost to the global economy, would remain blocked for considerably longer, with little sign of progress towards a negotiated resolution of Washington's conflict with Iran.
Iran's navy said it had prevented "American-Zionist" warships from entering the Strait area by issuing a "swift and decisive warning."
Iran's semi-official FARS news agency said two missiles had hit the warship near the port of Jask at the southern entrance to the strait, but CENTCOM denied that any warship had been struck.
