Iran claims strike on US vessel in Strait of Hormuz; Israeli raids kill four in Lebanon

Tehran's state media reported on Sunday that Iranian forces struck an unmanned U.S. military vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming the boat was attempting to enter a restricted area. The incident marks the latest exchange of fire between Iran and the United States after roughly a month of relative calm.

U.S. Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the region, did not confirm the claim or respond to requests for comment. The reported attack comes a day after the U.S. said it had struck Iranian oil tankers in retaliation for Iran launching ballistic missiles at Navy warships.

Hostilities resumed last week following a period of quiet. The conflict began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. Although a ceasefire agreement was announced in June, on-and-off fighting has persisted, with both sides seeking to inflict military and economic damage amid collapsed negotiations.

Separately, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Sunday killed at least four people and wounded at least 20 others, including three children and five women, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Two deaths were reported in the village of Arabsalim, and two more in the city of Nabatiyeh, near a strategic hill that Israel said Thursday was under its control.

The strikes also leveled a hospital that was not in use and was empty, according to city rescue services. The Israeli military said its strikes were in response to a drone attack launched earlier Sunday by Hezbollah on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon. It did not respond when asked about the hospital.

Since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect more than two months ago, fighting has subsided in much of Lebanon, but low-level skirmishes and Israeli strikes continue.