Iran Announces Capture of Unmanned Submarine in the Strait of Hormuz
Amid tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian navy announced it had seized an American unmanned submarine, while the US military stated that the vehicle had malfunctioned.
The Iranian navy reported that it captured an advanced US unmanned submarine at the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz through an intelligence operation, while the US military stated that the underwater vehicle had suffered a malfunction.
Operation in the Strait of Hormuz
The Iranian navy announced that it captured one of the US military's smart and modern unmanned submarines at the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement published on Sepah News, the official media organ of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, it was stated that the vehicle was captured through a complex intelligence operation. A video of the vehicle, which was noted to possess the most modern underwater technology, was also shared with the public.
Claim of Shot Down UAV
In addition to the submarine incident, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also claimed that an MQ-9 Reaper type unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down by air defense systems over the Strait of Hormuz. This claim was announced to the public via Sepah News.
Malfunction Statement from the US
Following Iran's statements, the US military reported that an underwater drone conducting routine research in the region had malfunctioned a day prior to the incident. A Pentagon spokesperson stated that the malfunctioning vehicle was an old model, did not collect sensitive data, and did not carry secret sonar or radar equipment.
Destruction of Tankers and New Sanctions
US Central Command announced that five Iranian crude oil tankers were destroyed following attacks by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards on a US warship. Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department included 27 Iranian airline companies on its sanctions list as part of a move to increase pressure on the country.
Emphasis on Resistance from Iran
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that his country is against war, stating that they will resolutely continue their resistance until the aggressors feel full remorse.