Iran poses an unacceptable threat to the security of the partners in the Middle East and global trade, said British Minister of State for the Middle East Lord Tariq Ahmad.
According to the Arab News Agency, Ahmad tweeted that the UK would continue to work with the US and other members of the International Maritime Security Construct to "deter Iranian aggression and protect freedom of navigation."
The US forces prevented two attempted commercial tanker seizures by the Iranian Navy earlier this week after the Iranians had opened fire in one of the incidents near the coast of Oman. Both of these incidents occurred in international waters.
The statement said that the US Navy received a distress call from Bahamian-flagged oil tanker Richmond Voyager while the ship was more than 20 miles off Muscat, Oman, and transiting international waters toward the Arabian Sea.
Another Iranian naval vessel had closed within one mile of Richmond Voyager while hailing the commercial tanker to stop.
An Iranian defense source denied the US Navy accusations.
In May, the US Fifth Fleet said the United States was working with allies and regional partners to increase the rotation of ships and aircraft patrolling the Strait of Hormuz with partners following an uptick in Iranian merchant vessel seizures.
The increased force presence supports multinational efforts under the International Maritime Security Construct and bilaterally with partner nations to deter threats to commercial shipping and reassure regional mariners.
