Iran has summoned the British ambassador to Tehran after the UK blamed the country for an attack on two oil tankers.

Jeremy Hunt, the UK’s foreign secretary, said on Friday that Iran was responsible for the 13 June attack on the vessels, which left one tanker ablaze in the Gulf of Oman.

“During the meeting...Iran strongly condemned the unfounded allegations and criticised Britain’s unacceptable stance regarding the attacks,” the semi-official Students News Agency ISNA reported.

The ambassador was asked for an explanation and correction, ISNA reported.

The head of the Arab League earlier called on Iran to “be careful and reverse course” after the attack stoked interstate tensions in the Middle East.

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

The US has blamed Iran for the fire, which occurred near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran has denied all involvement in the incident.

“We believe that responsibilities need to be clearly defined,” said Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Arab League’s Secretary-General.

”The facts will be revealed, I am sure, it’s only a matter of time.”

“My call to my Iranian – and I call them Iranian brothers: Be careful and reverse course because you’re pushing everybody towards a confrontation that no one would be safe if it happens.”

“We believe that the truth needs to be clearly established in relation to these attacks,” he added.

Mr Aboul Gheit was speaking in New York on Friday, after meeting with Antonio Guterres, the UN’s Secretary General.

As conflicting reports over the cause of the fire emerged, Mr Guterres called for an independent investigation into the alleged attack.

“We believe it is very important to avoid, at all costs, a major confrontation in the Gulf,” he said.

The UN’s intervention came as the leaders of Iran and the US exchanged angry public statements over the alleged attack.

The Pentagon released a video showing what it said were Iranian forces removing an unexploded limpet mine from one of the tankers.

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“Iran did do it,” Donald Trump said on Friday, while calling into Fox & Friends, a television show.

He labelled Iran a “nation of terror”, which had been “exposed” by the US video, during the segment.

The Japanese owner of one of the two tankers, the Kokuka Courageous, said crew members had seen flying objects attacking the ship, appearing to contradict the US account.

Hassan Rouhani, Iran’s president, said on Friday that the US was ”using all opportunities for radicalising the situation, which undermines the stability not only in our region but in the whole world”.

The White House has increased scrutiny of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in recent months, taking the rare step of classifying a foreign government entity as a terror group.