Strait of Hormuz Seizure
Iran Claims Seizure of US Underwater Drone Near Strait of Hormuz
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Key Points
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Iran’s IRNA news agency said the vehicle was seized during an “intelligence operation” and that photographs would be published shortly.
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The Dive-LD reportedly costs about $2.5 million to $3 million per unit and was first delivered to the U.S. Navy only last year, underscoring the sensitivity of the alleged capture.
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A Naval News analysis found that the circulated image matched several distinctive Dive-LD details, including its flood holes, fastenings and small transparent forward mast; however, the image did not reveal which payload, if any, the vehicle was carrying.
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Iran has previously captured U.S. unmanned systems: China seized a U.S. Navy ocean glider in the South China Sea in 2016, while Iran captured an RQ-170 Sentinel drone in 2011.
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Naval News said access to the Dive-LD could enhance Iran’s underwater-drone capabilities and could potentially lead to the technology being shared with allies such as Russia or China.
Iran claims its military seized a U.S. underwater drone near the Strait of Hormuz during an intelligence operation, The Guardian reported. The United States counters that the autonomous underwater vehicle malfunctioned over 24 hours earlier and was not carrying classified sensors. The competing claims have drawn intense scrutiny because the Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-third of global oil shipments.
Images released by Iranian authorities appear to show Anduril's Dive-LD, a roughly 5.8-meter, three-ton autonomous vehicle worth $2.5 million to $3 million, Naval News analysis found. The U.S. Navy only received its first Dive-LD units last year, making any capture potentially sensitive. Middle East Eye reported that Iran's IRGC claimed the seizure during an intelligence operation.
What Iran Claims About the Underwater Vehicle Seizure
Iran's state news agency IRNA announced that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps captured the drone during an intelligence operation, according to The Guardian. Iranian authorities released photographs of the seized vehicle and promised to publish more images shortly. The IRGC did not immediately specify when or where exactly the capture occurred along the strait.
Defense analysts who examined the released images found distinctive details matching the Dive-LD design, Naval News reported. These features included flood holes, fastenings, and a small transparent forward mast. However, the photographs did not reveal what sensors or payloads, if any, the vehicle was carrying at the time.
The U.S. Military's Different Account of Events
The U.S. Navy says the autonomous underwater vehicle malfunctioned more than 24 hours before Iran's claimed seizure, The Guardian reported. American officials state the vehicle was not equipped with classified sensors when it lost contact. Washington has not independently confirmed that Iranian forces actually captured the drone or verified the images Iran released.
The timing discrepancy raises questions about what actually happened in the Strait of Hormuz. If the U.S. account is accurate, the vehicle had already failed and drifted before any seizure could occur. The conflicting narratives make it difficult to determine the full sequence of events without independent verification.
Why This Capture Matters for Underwater Drone Technology
Access to the Dive-LD could significantly boost Iran's underwater surveillance and mine-detection capabilities, Naval News analysis found. More concerning to U.S. officials, the technology could potentially be shared with allies like Russia or China. Such transfers would give hostile powers direct access to cutting-edge American autonomous systems.
Iran has a history of capturing U.S. unmanned systems. The country seized an RQ-170 Sentinel reconnaissance drone in 2011, Naval News noted. China also captured a U.S. Navy ocean glider in the South China Sea in 2016. Each seizure provided adversaries with valuable intelligence about American technology.
Iran's Other Recent Claims About U.S. Military Operations
Iran separately claims it destroyed a U.S. MQ-1 Predator drone over the Strait of Hormuz, Middle East Eye reported. That allegation remains unverified and is distinct from the underwater vehicle incident. The two claims together suggest escalating tensions in one of the world's most strategically important waterways.
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