Iranian gunboats unsuccessfully attempted to intercept a US oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday before a US Navy vessel intervened, reports say.

US and Iranian officials are due this week to hold their first talks since Iran launched a deadly crackdown on protests, in a meeting likely to be crucial in determining if the US carries out renewed military action against the Islamic republic.

Talks between the US and Iran will be held in Oman on Friday, according to Iranian reports - this is a breaking story

Iran requests nuclear talks with the U.S. in Oman as diplomatic efforts intensify amid escalating regional tensions and military buildup in the Middle East.

Diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Iran are slated for Friday, though the venue and format have changed after a pair of military flare-ups in the Middle East on Tuesday. NewsNation’s Tom Dempsey has the latest.

Tensions have continued to rise between the two nations after the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown on nationwide protests left thousands dead.

The U.S. military has deployed dozens of aircraft and assembled about 12 warships near Iran in the last month, setting the stage for possible strikes.

Trump been ratcheting up threats against Iran over the past several weeks, urging a nuclear deal and increasing U.S military presence in the region.