Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that it captured a US unmanned underwater vehicle near the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC made the claim on Tuesday as tensions continue to rise amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The United States has not yet issued a public statement confirming or denying the reported seizure.

IRGC claims capture of advanced US underwater vehicle

The IRGC said its naval forces intercepted and seized what it described as one of the US military’s most advanced unmanned underwater systems. According to the Guards, the operation took place at dawn during what they called an intelligence and operational mission. Iranian state media reported that the captured vehicle belongs to a newer generation of US military systems. The IRGC claimed that the US military received the vehicle in 2025. The Iranian force also said it would publish photographs and video footage of the captured vehicle in the coming hours. Iranian media reports described the system as a sophisticated underwater platform with several surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Vehicle reportedly designed for underwater surveillance

According to Iranian reports, the unmanned underwater vehicle can perform a range of missions beneath the sea. These reportedly include underwater reconnaissance and surveillance. The system can also be used to map the seabed and identify possible naval mines. Iranian media further claimed that the vehicle can inspect submarine communication cables and underwater pipelines. Such capabilities could allow the US military to collect intelligence and monitor important infrastructure beneath strategically significant waterways. However, the reported capture and the exact identity of the underwater vehicle have not been independently confirmed.

Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of tensions

The reported seizure comes as Iran continues its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The strategically important waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It serves as one of the world's most important routes for energy shipments. Under normal conditions, roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption in the waterway can therefore have major consequences for global energy markets and international shipping.

US imposes counter-blockade on Iranian ports

Washington has responded to Iran’s blockade by imposing a counter-blockade on Iranian ports. The opposing measures have increased pressure on commercial shipping in and around the Gulf. The latest claim by the IRGC adds another layer to the growing confrontation between Tehran and Washington.

Iran and US clash over Strait of Hormuz shipping

Iran has also said that it plans to charge fees to vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has argued that the money collected from such fees would help finance services linked to the waterway, including environmental protection. The proposal has further increased concerns among international shipping operators. With Iran maintaining restrictions on maritime traffic and the United States enforcing its own counter-measures, the strategic waterway remains a major flashpoint. The reported capture of the US unmanned underwater vehicle could further raise tensions between the two countries, particularly as both sides continue to take competing actions affecting shipping in and around the Gulf.