LNG tankers — Al Ghariya, Duhail and Al Ruwais — have all been inching westward towards the Strait of Hormuz before changing course to turn away late on Tuesday, showed data from analytics firms Kpler and LSEG.

Iran has repeatedly said that vessels should only transit the strait through the route designated and authorized by the Islamic Republic.

Iranian state television said the liquefied natural gas tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings but did not directly claim the assault.