Iran has denied that it was responsible for the attacks on two oil tankers in the Middle East.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday blamed the Islamic Republic for the explosions on the oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.

In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Friday accused the U.S. of jumping "to make allegations against Iran—w/o a shred of factual or circumstantial evidence."

Zarif tweet: That the US immediately jumped to make allegations against Iran—w/o a shred of factual or circumstantial evidence—only makes it abundantly clear that the #B_Team is moving to a #PlanB: Sabotage diplomacy—including by @AbeShinzo—and cover up its #EconomicTerrorism against Iran.

Two oil tankers — the Norwegian-owned Front Altair and the Japanese-owned Kokuka Courageous — suffered significant damage after experiencing explosions while they were traveling near the Strait of Hormuz, the world's busiest sea lane for oil shipments. Crews were forced to abandon ship and leave the vessels adrift in waters between Gulf Arab states and Iran.

It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attacks, but the U.S. military released footage on Thursday which it said showed Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps removing an unexploded mine from the side of one of the stricken tankers.

The attacks come as tensions between Washington and Tehran soared after the Trump administration withdrew from an international nuclear pact with Iran. Tehran has repeatedly threatened to block traffic in the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for U.S. sanctions on the Islamic Republic.