Washington / Tehran (Monitoring Desk) Tensions between the United States and Iran around the Strait of Hormuz have intensified further, raising concerns over the future of the ceasefire in the region.
US President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Iran, saying that there will be severe consequences if American vessels are attacked.
The US says its forces are providing safe passage to commercial ships, while Iran claims that the Strait of Hormuz is under its full control.
US officials have also claimed that seven Iranian boats were destroyed, a claim strongly denied by Iran.
According to Arab media, a South Korean vessel caught fire after being attacked, while reports also suggest fires broke out on two additional ships.
Tensions escalated further after reports that Iran carried out alleged missile and drone strikes on the United Arab Emirates, which led to a fire in the Fujairah oil zone and injured three people.
The UAE has strongly condemned the attack and stated that it reserves the right to defend itself, further increasing fears of escalation in the region.
