Tensions near the key Strait of Hormuz have escalated as Iran targeted shipping and Lebanon prepares to seek ceasefire extension in talks with Israel in Washington.
Iranian forces targeted three container ships on Wednesday, seizing two and firing on a third, global security monitors and the country's Revolutionary Guards said, the latest incidents to threaten a crucial trade route in the Middle East war.
British maritime security agency UKMTO said an Iranian gunboat fired at a container ship off the coast of Oman Wednesday, while a ship off Iran was also fired upon.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said separately that their naval forces stopped two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz and directed them to Iranian waters.
It accused them of breaching its blockade of the route, imposed in the Middle East war that erupted on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
"The master of a container ship reported that the vessel was approached by one IRGC gunboat... that then fired upon the vessel, which has caused heavy damage to the bridge. No fires or environmental impact reported," the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said.
Beirut will request an extension for in the upcoming talks with Israel in Washington.
Ahead of the talks on Thursday, Israel called on the Lebanese government to "work together" with it against Iran-backed group Hezbollah.
The two governments, which do not have diplomatic relations with each other, are set to hold a second round of talks under US auspices on Thursday, in a bid to end more than six weeks of war between Israel and Hezbollah that began on March 2.
Lebanon will request a one-month extension of the ceasefire during the meeting with Israel, a Lebanese official told AFP news agency.