Tehran: Iranian forces launched drones toward US warships in the Sea of Oman following an attack on an Iranian commercial vessel, escalating tensions in one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors, according to media reports.

Citing Iranian media, Al Jazeera reported that the drone deployment came after what Tehran described as a US strike on its merchant ship. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed that US forces operating in the region were forced to retreat after engaging the vessel.

According to Press TV, quoting Mehr news agency, US forces targeted an Iranian merchant ship in an attempt to compel it to return to Iranian territorial waters. The incident occurred amid heightened maritime tensions linked to the Strait of Hormuz and the movement of international shipping vessels.

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The report added that the US action was connected to developments including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the return of Indian and British merchant ships, and control measures enforced by the IRGC. It further stated that American forces were forced to retreat following the “timely presence and rapid response” of IRGC naval units supporting the Iranian vessel.

The United States had announced a naval blockade on Iran after failing to meet its military objectives in what was described as a joint campaign with Israel that began in late February. 

Iran had briefly eased restrictions on non-hostile commercial shipping on Friday in an apparent attempt to de-escalate tensions. However, the IRGC Navy said in a statement on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed again.

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"However, due to the violation of the ceasefire conditions, and as the American adversary has not lifted the naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports, the Strait of Hormuz has been closed as of this evening until this blockade is removed," the IRGC said.

Earlier, Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian Armed Forces intercepted two oil tankers flying the flags of Botswana and Angola in the Strait of Hormuz and turned them back.

The escalation follows Iran’s confirmation that a US operation targeted an Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman. Iran’s Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters accused Washington of “violating the ceasefire and committing maritime piracy” and said the vessel had been seized.

"We warn that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond to and retaliate against this armed piracy by the US military," it said.

The statement came after US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces intercepted and disabled the Iranian-flagged vessel TOUSKA in the Arabian Sea after it allegedly violated a naval blockade.

CENTCOM said the USS Spruance fired several rounds into the vessel’s engine room after repeated warnings were ignored, before boarding it and placing it under US custody.

US President Donald Trump also confirmed the seizure, stating that a US Navy guided missile destroyer in the Gulf of Oman “stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom” and that US Marines had taken control of the vessel.

He added that the Marines were “seeing what’s on board!”

Iran’s joint military command condemned the move as piracy and warned of imminent retaliation.

The latest developments have cast doubt over diplomatic efforts, after Trump earlier said US negotiators would travel to Pakistan for another round of talks with Iran aimed at extending a fragile ceasefire set to expire by Wednesday. Iran has not confirmed its participation.

The standoff threatens to further destabilise the region and deepen the global energy crisis, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a vital route for international oil shipments.