Calling Iran �a nation of terror,� President Donald Trump on Friday publicly accused the Persian Gulf nation of responsibility for recent attacks on oil tankers near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said Iran�s culpability was �exposed� by the United States. While calling into Fox News Channel�s �Fox & Friends,� he said of the Thursday attacks, �Iran did do it.�

While Iran has denied being involved in the attacks, U.S. Central Command released footage it said shows Iran�s Revolutionary Guard removing an unexploded limpet mine from the Japanese-owned tanker Kokuka Courageous.

Trump didn�t offer any potential U.S. response to the attack, saying the U.S. has been �very tough on sanctions.� He added: �They�ve been told in very strong terms we want to get them back to the table.�

The tanker attacks coincided with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe�s visit to Iran. Abe, a Trump ally, had taken a similar message encouraging a return to negotiations on his visit to Tehran.

U.S. officials said on Thursday that the Trump administration was considering a return to providing naval escorts to vessels transiting through the maritime choke point. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a prominent ally of the Republican president, called on the U.S. to begin the escorts immediately in an interview with �Fox & Friends� earlier on Friday.

Trump warned Iran not to close off the Strait of Hormuz, saying if it is closed it won�t be closed for long.

(AP)