Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have banned Iranian-flagged ships from entering their territorial waters as tensions escalated in the region.

Reuters said local reports cited by ship insurers claimed that Bahrain had also barred any vessel that had called in Iran as one of its last three port visits.

Norwegian insurer Gard said: "There is currently no such restriction in Saudi Arabia."

The West of England P&I club said: "An entered vessel has since been denied entry to Bahrain after visiting an Iranian port two port calls earlier, resulting in the fixture being cancelled."

Saudi