WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - Iran appeared to be trying to intercept a Singapore-flagged commercial ship on Thursday in order to settle a legal dispute, a US official told Reuters, saying the Alpine Eternity reportedly hit an Iranian-owned oil platform in March.

"Iran claims that the vessel is liable for damages to the oil platform," the official told Reuters, saying that incident took place on March 22.

Iranian naval vessels fired what appeared to be warning shots over the vessel, prompting it to flee to United Arab Emirates waters.