Iran and the US have long engaged in a game of drone chicken as they monitor one another, and in some cases down the other's aircraft.
The exercise covers an area from the eastern parts of the Strait of Hormuz to the northern parts of the Indian Ocean and parts of the Red Sea.
The IRGC claimed that it managed to capture a tanker carrying confiscated Iranian oil from US forces.
"Israel had warned the US that Iran would use a break in JCPOA talks to advance its nuclear program."
Romanian, Brit dead * Lapid to UK FM: There’s ‘need to respond severely to attack’
One of the drones was directly aimed at the tanker's bridge, to kill people, defense and security analyst Farzin Nadimi has stated.
Naval tensions have increased dramatically since a series of incidents in 2019.
Naval exercises that may unite France, the UAE, the US, Japan and Australia could provide a major message of strategic partnering.
Footage of the ship published by Al-Mayadeen was allegedly recorded by an Iranian drone.