A spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards challenged ​US President Donald Trump to deploy US naval vessels to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media reported on ​Friday.

The US navy could begin escorting oil ​tankers through the Strait of Hormuz ⁠if necessary, Trump said on Tuesday.

The conflict ​in the Middle East has halted shipping and ​energy exports through the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Guards spokesperson Alimohammad Naini said: “Iran strongly welcomes the escort ​of oil tankers and that US ​forces will be there for the crossing of the ‌Strait ⁠of Hormuz. And we are, by the way, awaiting their presence,” according to the state media.

“We recommend that, before making any ​decision, the Americans ​remember ⁠the fire on the American supertanker Bridgeton in 1987 and the ​oil tankers that were recently ​targeted,” ⁠Naini said.

At least nine vessels have been attacked since the US and Israel first began ⁠strikes ​on Iran on Saturday and ​the Guards ordered ships not to cross the strategic waterway.