US Navy reports that Iran fired at one of two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz after they tried to seize them.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, (AP) – Iran fired shots at one of two oil tankers early on Wednesday near the Strait of Hormuz, which is a strategic waterway, according to the U.S. Navy.

The U.S. Navy said in both cases that the Iranian vessels had backed away after being reprimanded by the U.S. Navy, but that the commercial ships were continuing their voyages.

Cmdr. Tim Hawkins is the spokesman of the Fifth Fleet, U.S. Navy. “The U.S. Navy immediately responded and prevented these seizures.”

He claimed that the gunfire directed towards the second vessel caused no casualties or significant damage.

No immediate Iranian comments were made on the incident.

Ambrey, an intelligence service for maritime affairs, reported that the crude oil tanker fired on was a tanker flying the Bahamas flag, owned by Greece, and managed by the United States. It was transiting between the United Arab Emirates and Singapore. The firing of shots took place 28 nautical miles northeast from Muscat, Oman’s capital.

The U.S. Navy claims that Iran has seized at least five commercial ships in the past two years, and harassed others. The incidents occurred mainly in the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding area, which is the narrow mouth of Persian Gulf where 20% of crude oil travels.

Iranian state TV broadcast footage of masked commandos of the Iranian navy conducting an helicopter-borne raid in April to seize a U.S. bound oil tanker. Iran claimed that the tanker had been seized following a collision with another Iranian vessel, but did not provide any evidence. Iran has in the past seized commercial ships to use them as bargaining chips when dealing with the West.

U.S. and Iranian tensions have been steadily rising since the Trump administration unilaterally rescinded Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers in 2015, and reinstated crippling sanctions. Iran responded by increasing its nuclear activities, which it claims are entirely peaceful. It is also supplying armed drones to Russia in its war against Ukraine.