THREE tankers were struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz today, the latest attacks targeting vessels moving through the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf.

The new assaults threatened to choke off the flow of traffic in the strait just as countries hoped to restore normal shipping practices and ease the global economic strain of the US and Israel’s unprovoked war on Iran.

One of the tankers was travelling off the coast of Oman and caught fire, according to Britain’s Maritime Trade Operations centre.

Iranian state television said the liquefied fossil gas tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings but did not directly claim the assault.

Two other tankers were also hit, including one that was struck by a drone. It was not immediately clear where they were at the time of the attacks.

Both ships sustained some damage, but no-one was injured, the maritime agency said.

Tehran, which has repeatedly declared that only its approved route through the strait is safe, is suspected of attacking other ships that have used another route close to the Omani shore.

The US is eager to press ahead with negotiations with Iran, aimed at fully reopening the strait, rolling back Tehran’s nuclear programme and reaching a permanent end to the illegal war it launched in February.

Previous attacks in the strait have sparked retaliatory strikes by the US, which Iran followed by attacking Gulf Arab states.

Meanwhile, talks between Iran and the US appeared to be on hold until after the burial of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated at the beginning of the war. Mourners at his funeral have called for the death of US President Donald Trump.

Speaking at the White House on Monday, Mr Trump warned Iran that it would need to “make a deal, or we’re going to finish the job.

“I’d rather make a deal, because I don’t want to affect 91 million people,” he said. “We can knock down their bridges in one hour. We can knock out their energy supply.”

Iran was not “moved by” Mr Trump’s latest threats, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on social media today.

The peace agreement was clear, Mr Araghchi said: “Negotiations on final deal will not commence if threats continue. Honour your signature.”