Washington and Tehran traded strikes on Monday as US deaths in the renewed fighting climbed to three and more ships came under attack in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices surged to a one-month high as the United States and Iran tussled for control of the vital strait, with Brent crude rising above $91 a barrel -- the highest price since June 11.
Since the start of the war on February 28, Iran has struck back by targeting US allies and military assets in its own neighborhood, and by virtually blocking the waterway through which a fifth of world oil supplies transited prior to the war.
A preliminary deal aimed at ending the war has collapsed as the foes fight to break a deadlock over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Monday that two oil tankers trying to transit the strait "exploded and were brought to a halt", according to a statement reported by the Tasnim news agency.
