The move came after three tankers reported being struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz in recent days. A US official said initial indications show that Iran was responsible for the strikes.

The reported attacks threaten to unravel a memorandum of understanding signed less than three weeks ago.

An oil tanker caught fire after being struck by an "unknown projectile" while transiting the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman, British maritime authorities said on Tuesday,…