Mubasher: Two “Japan-related” oil carriers near the strategic Strait of Hormuz were reportedly attacked on Thursday, amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Japan’s Trade Ministry said that the two tankers had Japan-bound cargo, as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was concluding a high-profile visit in Tehran, aiming to ease tensions between Iran and the US, the AP said.

The US Navy's 5th Fleet stated that it is “aware of the reported attack on tankers in the Gulf of Oman.”

“The Navy and the ship’s owners offered no immediate explanation on what weapon caused the damage to the MT Front Altair and the Kokuka Courageous in the Gulf of Oman off the coast of Iran, though all believed the ships had been targeted in an attack,” the Washington Post said.

International benchmark Brent crude soared at one point as much as 4%, following the reported attack close the major shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to international markets in Asia, Europe, and North America.

The incident came after Washington alleged that Iran attacked four oil carriers, using limpet mines, off the nearby UAE port of Fujairah last month, denied by Tehran, whereas Iran-aligned Houthi militia launched drones and attacks on Saudi Arabia’s installations.

Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that his country has not pursue to build nuclear weapons, but the US “could not do anything” to prevent Tehran from that.

By 11:53 am GMT, Brent futures surged by 3.87% to $62.29 per barrel (pb), while US Nymex crude futures jumped by 3.81% to $53.09 pb.