In a surprise move, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has kept away from the ongoing diplomatic spat between London and Tehran, saying that it "falls to" the UK to protect its their ships in the Persian Gulf.

Axar.az reports citing Sputnik that unlike in previous incidents, Pompeo has been tight-lipped on the recent detention of a British tanker by Iran. One of the ideologues behind the US administration's "maximum presure" on Iran has earlier blamed the Islamic Republic for attacking vessels in the region, despite Iran denying any involvement.

Speaking to Fox & Friends on Monday, Pompeo also highlighted that the United States does not want war with Iran.