Several Iranian state-affiliated news outlets have reported that blasts were heard in the ports of Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas port, but the source of the apparent attack remains unclear.

Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim also reported on Thursday that the country’s forces clashed with the United States Navy after the US military attempted to attack an Iranian oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.

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It said three US Navy destroyers came under Iranian fire and fled towards the Gulf of Oman.

The US Central Command declined to comment on the events when reached by Al Jazeera. The Pentagon did not respond immediately.

The skirmishes come amid reports that Washington and Tehran are in advanced talks to end the war.

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump ordered an operation to break Iran’s blockade on Hormuz, leading to heightened tensions that pushed the ceasefire to the brink.

On Monday, the US said it shot down seven small Iranian drones, and Iran renewed its drone and missile attacks against the UAE.