[Iran Semi-Official Media] Iranian Military "Claims to have Struck US Warship with Drone... In Response to Merchant Ship Seizure"

A container ship passing the Iranian coast

Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on the 19th (local time) that the Iranian military launched an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack on a US warship.

Hatam al-Anbiya Central Command claimed through its spokesperson on this day that it struck a US warship in response to the US seizure of an Iranian vessel.

The Central Command warned, "If US piracy and aggression continue, our military response will also continue."

However, the US military has not issued a statement regarding Iran's claim of striking a warship.

It has not yet been confirmed whether the Iranian military actually carried out military retaliation against some US warships using drones, or if Tasnim's report is propaganda for domestic political purposes.

Tasnim news agency is well-known as a media outlet representing the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which exerts strong influence over the US-Iran armistice negotiations.

Iran's Central Command declared the US seizure of an Iranian merchant ship a violation of the ceasefire agreement and announced its intention to retaliate.

The merchant ship seized by the US military was reportedly en route from China to the Gulf of Oman.

US President Donald Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social that an Iranian cargo ship named 'Tuscar' was stopped after attempting to break the US naval blockade.

US Central Command warned the Tuscar, which was heading to Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, that it was violating the US blockade, but it did not comply for 6 hours. The US military then ordered the evacuation of the engine room and fired several rounds from a 5-inch (127mm) MK45 naval gun, disabling its propulsion system.

Central Command added that the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit subsequently boarded the Tuscar, which is currently detained.

The renewed tension between the US and Iran surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a major crude oil transport route, is seen as a new setback for the two-week ceasefire and peace talks, which are due to expire on the 21st.