Tehran, June 1 -- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for targeting a Panama-flagged container ship, identifying the vessel as the "US-owned" MSC Sariska V, with a cruise missile, according to reports in the Iranian media.

The operation by the IRGC was executed in direct retaliation for a previous offensive targeting an Iranian vessel in proximity to the coast of Oman.

This claim comes as a cargo vessel transiting the Arabian Gulf was struck by an unidentified projectile on Monday, triggering a large explosion off the coast of Iraq and prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British maritime secur...