Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced on September 8 that their naval forces had captured an American-made underwater drone near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz during what they described as a "complex intelligence and operational action." The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed the drone was one of the most advanced unmanned submarines in the U.S. fleet, equipped with cutting-edge technology.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the incident but stated the drone had malfunctioned more than a day prior while surveying regional waters. A CENTCOM spokesperson, Captain Timothy Hawkins, described the drone as an older model that was "essentially dead in the water" and carried no sensitive data or classified equipment. Hawkins added that U.S. operations in the area continue uninterrupted.
Iranian state media released images and videos purportedly showing the captured drone, identified by the IRGC as an Anduril Dive-LD, a submersible drone capable of missions including surveillance and mine warfare. The U.S. has not disputed the drone’s model but emphasized its lack of operational capability at the time of capture.
Immediate Developments
On September 8, Iran’s IRGC announced the seizure of what it described as a highly advanced U.S. underwater drone in the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC statement, carried by state TV, claimed the drone was one of the most modern unmanned submarines in the U.S. fleet, delivered to American forces in 2025.
The U.S. military responded the same day, confirming that an underwater drone had malfunctioned while conducting routine operations in the region. CENTCOM’s Captain Timothy Hawkins stated the drone was an older model that neither collected sensitive data nor carried classified equipment. He noted the drone had been "dead in the water" for more than a day before Iran’s announcement.
Technical Details and Claims
Iranian state media identified the captured vessel as an Anduril Dive-LD, a submersible drone with a maximum endurance of 10 days and capabilities including surveillance and mine warfare. The IRGC’s claim emphasized the drone’s advanced technology, describing it as "smart" and equipped with the latest subsurface technology.
The U.S. military countered that the drone was not a critical asset, stating it was an older model with no classified components. Hawkins clarified that the drone’s malfunction occurred prior to Iran’s announcement, suggesting it may have drifted into Iranian waters before being captured.
Broader Context and Previous Incidents
The Strait of Hormuz remains a highly contested waterway, with Iran frequently asserting control over the area amid ongoing regional tensions. This incident follows a pattern of similar claims by Iran, including the 2022 capture of two U.S. drone boats in the Red Sea, which were later released after U.S. naval forces intervened.
The U.S. has increasingly deployed uncrewed vessels in the Middle East for missions such as mine clearance, intelligence gathering, and personnel rescue. While Iran’s seizure of the drone highlights regional military dynamics, the U.S. has downplayed its significance, framing the incident as a minor technical failure rather than a strategic loss.