The U.S. military stated on Tuesday that an unmanned submersible seized by Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz was “defective” and contained no classified information or sensitive equipment, countering Iranian claims that it was a cutting-edge piece of technology.
U.S. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins confirmed the incident to CNBC, stating that an underwater drone operated by U.S. forces had malfunctioned more than a day prior. “The drone was surveying regional waters in support of ongoing operations,” Hawkins said, adding that American operations in the area continue unaffected.
The Pentagon’s assessment directly contradicted earlier boasts from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which claimed Tuesday that it had captured “one of the most modern, intelligent, unmanned submarines of the American terrorist army at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz.” Iranian state media outlet Fars published videos and images purporting to show the vessel removed from the water.
However, Hawkins emphasized the limited value of the captured asset. “The defective drone was an older model that neither collected sensitive data nor carried any classified sonar or radar equipment,” the statement read.
Iranian media identified the vessel as a Dive-LD, an autonomous undersea vehicle manufactured by U.S. defense contractor Anduril. According to 2024 reports from DefenseScoop, each unit costs approximately $2.5 million.
The seizure occurs just three days after the United States and Iran exchanged new attacks in the Persian Gulf, escalating kinetic hostilities in the region. The U.S. announced it struck three Iranian crude oil carriers in retaliation for the IRGC firing ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy warships. Despite the military skirmishes, the Trump administration continues to shift its broader strategy toward economically defeating Tehran.
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