A tanker belonging to Swedish company Stena has been damaged in an attack by Iranian armed forces in the Persian Gulf, after being pursued by Iranian patrol boats, Swedish broadcaster SVT reports.

The strike on the Stena Imperative occurred while the vessel was in the port of Bahrain. Stena Bulk said no crew members were injured, but a fire broke out on board.

"There were hits on several vessels. However, it is not yet clear whether they were attacked by drones, missiles or something else," SVT quotes Stena Bulk CEO Erik Hånell as saying.