Iran has claimed it has hit three UK and US oil tankers in the Gulf, according to reports. UK and US oil tankers have been hit by Iranian missiles in the Gulf of Oman & Strait of Hormuz, Revolutionary Guards have claimed.

The vessels, they allege, were struck by missiles, while a projectile hit a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, leaving one person dead. So far strikes have not been confirmed by the US or UK. The claim comes as US president Donald Trump agreed to talk to Iran’s new leaders as part of an interview with long established American magazine The Atlantic. Speaking to a reporter, he said: "They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them. They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long."

The reported strikes are said to form part of Iran’s ongoing reprisals after an operation known as "Operation Epic Fury", which has been linked in reports to the death of the country’s Supreme Leader.

If verified, the incidents would represent a major rise in tensions in one of the world's most critical maritime corridors, although Western governments have yet to confirm the claims.

In a separate address, the president claimed the military operation was "ahead of schedule".

He also told Fox News that 48 leaders were among those killed in the strikes, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Entering day two of the conflict, the US and Israel have continued strikes on Iranian military and nuclear-linked sites, targeting facilities they say are connected to Tehran’s weapons and missile programmes.

Washington said the attacks were intended to curb Iran's military capability, while Iranian officials have condemned them as aggression and vowed retaliation.

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