Iran claims responsibility for attacking a U.S. naval drone in the Strait of Hormuz, after U.S. strikes on three Iranian oil tankers

Iran claimed responsibility on Sunday morning for the attack on a U.S. naval drone in the Strait of Hormuz region, after the United States struck three Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had attacked an unmanned U.S. military vessel that was attempting to enter a protected area of the strait.

Earlier, Iranian authorities announced that they had targeted three oil tankers crossing the Strait of Hormuz without authorization, as well as three U.S. vessels in other areas. Tehran warned other ships not to use routes it had not approved.

The U.S. military command confirmed the attacks on the Iranian oil tankers and said that two had been “permanently neutralized,” while the third was “completely destroyed.” According to Washington, the vessels were part of a secret network that financed the Revolutionary Guard and its allies with billions of dollars. The oil tankers were located near Kharg Island, the city of Jask, and in the Gulf of Oman.

The exchange of strikes is taking place amid a diplomatic deadlock over the conflict in the Middle East. Iran continues to block the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States maintains economic pressure and a blockade on Iranian ports.