Iran Claims It Captured US Submarine Drone in Hormuz After Tanker Strikes

Iran has claimed that its navy captured a US unmanned underwater vehicle near the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, adding another layer to the escalating confrontation between Tehran and Washington.

According to Sepah News, the official news outlet of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iranian forces seized a Dive-LD unmanned underwater vehicle during what they described as a “complex intelligence operation”.

The Iranian navy called the submersible one of the US military’s most advanced underwater unmanned systems and released video footage that it said showed the captured vehicle.

Iran Claims MQ-9 Reaper Shot Down

In a separate statement, the IRGC claimed that Iranian air defence systems had shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz. The claims came amid heightened military activity around the strategic waterway, which remains critical to global oil shipments.

Pentagon Says US Underwater Drone Malfunctioned

The US military acknowledged that one of its underwater drones had malfunctioned more than a day earlier while conducting a survey of regional waters. However, the Pentagon did not confirm whether the malfunctioning drone was the same vehicle Iran claimed to have captured.

A US defence spokesperson said the drone had been operating in support of ongoing missions and described it as an older model. The spokesperson said it neither collected sensitive information nor carried classified sonar or radar equipment.

The US military has increasingly invested in unmanned naval systems, including underwater and surface vessels, to monitor large maritime areas, gather intelligence and track hostile ships and submarines without exposing American personnel to additional risks.

According to Anduril, Dive-LD can operate for up to 10 days without returning to base and can dive to depths of around 6,000 metres (19,700 feet). DefenseScoop reported in 2024 that each unit cost approximately $2.5 million.

• US Claims Five Iranian Oil Tankers Destroyed
• The confrontation has also intensified around Iranian oil shipments.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces had destroyed five Iranian crude oil tankers after the IRGC attacked a US warship. According to CENTCOM, Iranian forces made two attempts over two days to strike the American vessel with ballistic missiles. The US military said its attacks on the tankers came in response to those incidents.

Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions against 27 Iranian airlines, placing them on its Specially Designated Nationals list as Washington seeks to increase economic pressure on Tehran.

The Treasury alleged that Iranian commercial airlines have supported the government’s activities and accused the IRGC of using apparently private airlines to procure and transport weapons and move personnel.

Washington first sanctioned Mahan Air in October 2011 and has since targeted several companies connected to its operations. The latest measures also target what the Treasury described as front companies, foreign intermediaries and deceptive transshipment networks allegedly used to acquire US-origin aircraft and sensitive technology.

Iran Vows To Continue Resistance

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has meanwhile vowed that Tehran will continue resisting what he described as aggression. In a post on X, Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s opposition to war but said the country would continue its resistance until the “aggressors are brought to complete regret”.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always been opposed to war,” Pezeshkian said, stressing that protecting the interests of the Iranian people and regional security required avoiding further conflict. He added that Iran would continue defending itself and what he described as the rights of the Iranian people.

How The US-Iran Conflict Began

The latest confrontation follows the outbreak of direct hostilities on February 28, when Israel and the United States launched attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks against Israel, US bases and American assets across the region. Tehran also tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy routes.

On June 18, the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict. The agreement called for negotiations within 60 days, with the deadline falling on August 17.

However, the prospects of a final agreement remain uncertain amid the latest escalation and renewed military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.