Iran Says It Will Release Footage of Alleged U.S. Underwater Drone Capture
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy says it will release images and footage of an alleged U.S. unmanned underwater vessel captured near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz within the coming hours.
The IRGC claims its forces seized the autonomous underwater vessel during a complex intelligence and operational mission, and says the craft is now under Iranian control.
Iranian state media reported that the release of the images and footage is intended to provide evidence supporting Tehran’s claim that the U.S. vessel was successfully captured
However, the United States disputes Iran’s account. A CENTCOM spokesperson said the underwater drone had malfunctioned more than a day earlier, describing it as an older, defective system that did not collect sensitive data or carry classified sonar or radar equipment
The competing claims come amid a major escalation between Washington and Tehran around the Strait of Hormuz, where both sides have accused the other of threatening maritime operations.
The situation remains highly fluid. The alleged capture has not been independently verified, and the release of any images or footage will be closely watched for evidence of the vessel’s identity, condition and circumstances surrounding the incident.