Iran's military is "almost certainly" responsible for the apparent attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, the UK government has claimed.

Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said the government had come to the conclusion after its “own assessment” of Thursday’s incident.

He said in a statement on Friday: “I condemn yesterday’s attacks on two vessels in the Gulf of Oman.

“These latest attacks build on a pattern of destabilising Iranian behaviour and pose a serious danger to the region.

“In targeting civilian shipping, international norms have been violated.

“It is essential that tankers and crews are able to pass through international waters safely.”

Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Show all 17 1 /17 Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Iran claims that in this picture released by Iran state TV, their surface-to-air missile is seen as it shoots down a US surveillance drone EPA Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures This photo shows US RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned surveillance drone. A drone of this model was shot down by Iran on Thursday 21 June AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures An oil tanker is on fire after it was subject to a suspected attacked at the Gulf of Oman on June 13. The US has blamed Iran for the attack Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Iran claims that in this picture released by Iran state TV, debris from the downed US drone is seen after it was recovered from Iranian waters AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Smoke billows from an oil tanker after it was subject to a suspected attacked at the Gulf of Oman on June 13 Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures US President Trump holds up a signed executive order to increase sanctions on Iran on 24 June AP Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Iranian President Rouhani stated in a televised address that the White House is "afflicted by mental retardation" following the increase in sanctions on 25 June EPA Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures An Iranian navy boat tackles the fire on the Norwegian owned Front Altair oil tanker after it was hit in a suspected attack AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Iran claims that in this picture released by Iran state TV, debris from the downed US drone is seen after it was recovered from Iranian waters AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Smoke billows from an oil tanker after it was subject to a suspected attacked at the Gulf of Oman on June 13 Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures A screenshot from a video released by the US Department of Defense that the US claims to show Iranian removing an unexploded limpet mine form the hull of the Japan-owned ship that was attacked in the Gulf of Oman on June 13 Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures An item reportedly found on the Japan-owned oil tanker that was attacked on June 13 in the Gulf of Oman AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures A handout photograph from the US Department of Defense shows a composite material that the US claim was left behind on the hull of the Japan-owned oil tanker following the removal of an unexploded limpet mine Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures A view from the cabin of an Iranian navy boat as it tackles the fire on the Norwegian owned Front Altair oil tanker after it was hit in a suspected attack EPA Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Release by US government A picture released by U.S. Central Command shows damage to the hull of the oil tanker Kokuka Courageous. The picture suggests that the ship is 'likely' to have been hit by a mine as the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo moves to blame Iran for the suspected attack Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Smoke billows from an oil tanker after it was subject to a suspected attacked at the Gulf of Oman on June 13 Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Release by US government A picture released by U.S. Central Command shows damage to the hull of the oil tanker Kokuka Courageous. The pictures suggests that the ship is 'likely' to have been hit by a mine as the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo moves to blame Iran for the suspected attack EPA

Mr Hunt called on Iran to urgently cease all forms of destabilising activity.

The Iranian mission to the United Nations dismissed US claims that it was behind the attacks earlier on Friday.

It said in a statement: “Iran categorically rejects the US unfounded claim with regard to 13 June oil tanker incidents, and condemns it in the strongest possible terms.”

Dozens of crew members had to be rescued after the Norwegian-owned MT Front Altair and the Japanese-owned Kokuka Courageous were evacuated near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday.

Images shared by Iranian media showed the super tankers ablaze in the sea.

The US sent two guided missile destroyers, USS Mason and USS Bainbridge, to the scene of the attacks to protect the vessels.

An Iranian tugboat was reportedly waved off by USS Bainbridge when it attempted to tow Kokuka Courageous.

The owner of the Japanese tanker claimed US reports of the attacks provided “false” information about what happened.

The ship operator said “flying objects” that may have been bullets were the cause of damage to the vessel, rather than mines used by Iranian forces, as the US has suggested.

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Yutaka Katada said the damage could not have been caused by mines or torpedoes that are shot underwater, since the damage was reportedly above the ship’s waterline.

“It seems that something flew towards them. That created the hole, is the report I’ve received,” Mr Katada told a press conference in Tokyo on Friday, the Financial Times reported.

Mr Katada also described reports of a mine attack as “false” according to several outlets in attendance at the press conference.

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said it was important to find out the truth about what happened and called for an independent investigation into the suspected attacks.

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe said Japan “adamantly condemns” the attack, “no matter who attacked”.