Iran claims seizure of US unmanned naval vessels in the Strait of Hormuz

On September 8, 2026, Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced the seizure of an American unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media described the device as a modern tool for surveillance and seabed mapping. By September 10, the Revolutionary Guard further claimed to have targeted a Saildrone Explorer surface vessel in the same area. These incidents occur against the backdrop of heightened tensions, as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed by Iranian forces following the outbreak of conflict in the region.

In response to the initial claim, a US official speaking to Reuters clarified that the captured unit was an older model that had suffered a mechanical failure over a day prior to the reported seizure. The US military maintains that the device did not contain sensitive sonar equipment. While the US acknowledged a equipment malfunction, it did not explicitly confirm if this incident pertains to the specific vessel identified by Iranian authorities. The US vessels involved are reportedly operated by Task Force 59 of the 5th Fleet, based in Bahrain, and are equipped with radar and camera arrays for maritime monitoring. Investigations into the precise status of these assets are ongoing as diplomatic and regional volatility continues.