France, July 13 -- "We condemn Iran' heinous attacks on merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and on countries in the region, including Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan," the three countries, known as the E-3, said in a joint statement.

The statement was referring to Iran's attack Sunday on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which caught fire and its crew were forced to abandon ship.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said afterwards that the Strait, a key global shipping route that has been largely restricted since the start of the Middle East conflict, would be closed "until further notice and until the end of American interventions in this region".

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