The British special forces have been deployed to the region off the coast of the United Arab Emirates while the UK and our allies devise a cyber strike retaliation. The Asphalt Princess tanker has been seized by Iranian forces according to three maritime sources - an accusation Iranian officials strenuously deny.

       The tanker is currently safe after being seized off the coast of the UAE by British forces.

       A US military ship is also expected to be sent to monitor the situation.

       The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said about the potential hijack incident: "Boarders have left the vessel. Vessel is safe. Incident complete."

       Refinitiv ship tracking data and AIS tracking showed that the Asphalt Princess was "Underway Using Engine" on Wednesday morning.

       READ MORE: World holds breath as US ship 'hijacked' off coast of UAE – Iran tensions sky-rocket

       The tanker was travelling through the Arabian Sea leading to the Strait of Hormuz, which is a channel used to transport a fifth of the world's sea-borne oil exports.

       International tensions have remained high since a drone attack last week on an Israeli tanker, which killed two crew members, was blamed on Iran by the US, Israel and Britain.

       Iran, once again, denies responsibility for the deaths.

       On Tuesday Iran's senior armed forces spokesman, Abolfazl Shekarchi, denied the many incidents at sea and hijacking in the Gulf area as "a kind of psychological warfare and setting the stage for new bouts of adventurism".

       The coast of Oman remains a contested and busy area of ocean occupation.

       British and American forces will have to remain on guard as tensions and hijackings often rise in tandem.

       FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES...

       Additional reporting by Catrin Picton