A huge oil tanker has exploded in the Straight of Hormuz after hitting a mine. The vessel was struck after straying from a route dictated by Iran, according to the state's semi-official Tasnim news agency.

Iranian authorities don't appear to have commented on the incident so far. It comes after US President Donald Trump suddenly called off a bombing campaign in favour of "diplomacy".

Trump's ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, told Fox News that the President has paused attacks on Iran as negotiations to find a permanent end to the conflict betweent he two nations continue.

“He’s giving ⁠⁠talks some space. He’s giving it a little bit of room,” Mr Waltz said.

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