The British government has said that three Iranian vessels tried to block the passage of a BP-operated tanker through the Strait of Hormuz but withdrew after warnings from a British warship.
British Heritage, which is operated under an Isle of Man flag, was approached by Iranian boats near the disputed island of Abu Musa.
Guns on HMS Montrose were trained on the Iranian boats as they were ordered to back off, US media reported. The boats heeded the warning and no shots were fired.
Britain urged Iran to “de-escalate the situation in the region” after the incident involving British Heritage.
Britain’s Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was concerned about the action taken by Iranian vessels to try to stop a British oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz.