In the latest episode in the gulf, the official Iraqi press agency said that Iraqi warplanes had bombed Iran's Rostam oilfield just north of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The city lies on the Arabian Sea along the Gulf of Oman and is in the proximity of the strategic Straits of Hormuz.

The move came as Iran threatened to choke off crude shipments through the strategic Strait of Hormuz in retaliation against tougher sanctions from the West over its nuclear programme.

Tehran has meanwhile threatened to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Gulf if it is attacked.

Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser closes the strategic Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping and states that Egypt is in a state of war with Israel.

Ras al-Khaimah, overlooking the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf, claims the Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb islands, now controlled by Iran.

Following a liberty call at Piraeus, Greece, between the 18th and the 21st, Aylwin headed for the strategic Straits of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard will hold naval exercises in the strategic Strait of Hormuz in February, the country's semi-official Fars news agency reported.

Spokesmen have been vague on what the United States would do about Iran's threat to block the strategic Strait of Hormuz, but military officials have been clear that the U.S. is readying for a possible naval clash.

Gwadar Port is situated near the strategic Strait of Hormuz and its busy trading and oil shipping lanes.