Iran says it captured U.S. underwater drone in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy says it has captured a U.S. underwater drone in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that is one of the world's most sensitive maritime chokepoints. The incident was reported on Tuesday, with Iranian military media describing the vehicle as an "intelligent submarine" after the seizure. A U.S. source, however, said the equipment had been malfunctioning for more than a day while operating in the area.

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The drone has been identified as an Anduril Dive-LD autonomous underwater vehicle. According to the supplied report, it is an older model and was not carrying classified sonar or radar equipment. The source speaking anonymously said the vehicle had been monitoring waters in the region before the problem emerged.

Iranian military channels said the captured system represented advanced underwater technology and claimed it had been delivered to the U.S. military in 2025. The Dive-LD is described in the supplied material as about 5.8 metres long and weighing roughly three tonnes, with the ability to operate for up to 10 days and reach depths of around 6,000 metres. It is also said to use modular payload compartments and a 3D-printed floodable hull designed to simplify production.

The incident matters because the Strait of Hormuz is a strategic passage for maritime traffic and a frequent focus of military tension between Iran and the United States. Any confrontation there can quickly draw attention beyond the immediate event because of the route's importance to regional security and global shipping. The capture of a foreign military system in that area is likely to be viewed through that wider lens.

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The supplied report says the U.S. Navy received the first Dive-LD units in April 2025 under the Replicator programme, a U.S. effort aimed at rapid production and deployment of autonomous systems. It also says the manufacturer has been expanding output, with plans to reach 200 units a year at a factory in Rhode Island.

Those details underline that the vehicle is part of a broader shift toward unmanned maritime technology. What remains unclear is the exact sequence of events leading to the capture and whether the drone was recovered after a technical failure or taken while disabled. There has been no confirmation in the supplied material of any damage, crew involvement, or immediate diplomatic response.

The key points to watch are whether either side provides further technical details and whether the incident prompts any official statement on operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

#Iran #UnitedStates #StraitofHormuz #underwaterdrone #RevolutionaryGuard

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