WASHINGTON — Iranian military fast-boats in the Gulf of Oman are preventing two privately owned tug boats from towing away an oil tanker damaged in attacks on Thursday, a US official said on Friday.

The US official did not say how the United States knew of the reported standoff between the Iranian fast-boats and the tug boats, which were trying to tie up and tow away the Norwegian-owned Front Altair.

The United States blames Iran for Thursday's attacks against the Altair and the Japanese-owned Kokuka Courageous. — Reuters