At least two merchant vessels said they were hit by gunfire as they attempted to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, news agency Reuters reported, citing three maritime security and shipping sources.
The impact was not immediately clear.
The Birtish military on Saturday also reported that two gunboats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard fired at a tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz, shortly after Iran announced renewed restrictions on the key waterway.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said the tanker and its crew were safe, though it did not disclose the vessel’s identity or destination.
This comes hours after Iran announced the blockade of the strait after a brief reopening as part of negotiations with the US.
Iran’s military command, in a televised statement said that Washington had broken a promise by continuing its naval blockade of ships sailing to and from Iran’s ports.
Until the United States restores freedom of movement for all vessels visiting Iran, “the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain strictly controlled,” the statement said.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that Iran has opened the Strait of Hormuz but US will continue to exercise its blockade until a deal with Iran is struck.