Iran Claims Capture Of US Underwater Drone Near Hormuz; Washington Says It 'Malfunctioned'

Iran on Tuesday said that its forces had captured an US military underwater drone near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, calling the unmanned vessel as “one of the most modern, unmanned, and smart submarines” in the US fleet.

The US, however, said the drone had malfunctioned more than a day earlier and played down its significance.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the drone was seized in what it called a “complex intelligence and operational action”. Iranian state television said the vessel had been “seized as a prize”.

Iran calls drone advanced

Iranian state media identified the vessel as an unmanned underwater vehicle and said it was capable of underwater surveillance, seabed mapping, mine detection and inspecting submarine cables and pipelines.

The Revolutionary Guards

described it as “one of the most modern” unmanned and smart submarines operated by the US military.

The reported capture took place near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route through which around a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports normally pass.

Iran has maintained a blockade of the strait since the war began in late February, while the US has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports.

US says drone was defective

US Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins said an underwater drone operated by US forces had malfunctioned more than a day earlier while surveying regional waters.

He said the drone was an older, defective Anduril Dive-LD model and that the US military no longer had possession of it. “The defective drone was an older model that neither collected sensitive data nor carried any classified sonar or radar equipment.”

Hawkins said the drone neither collected sensitive data nor carried classified sonar or radar equipment. “It was in a commercially available configuration so we aren’t concerned,” he said.

The US statement did not directly confirm whether Iranian forces had seized the drone.

(With inputs from agencies)