The US has rejected Iran’s claim that the Revolutionary Guards have captured a US underwater drone in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington says that all its active drone systems are under its control.
US Central Command spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins responded to the Iranian claim by saying that the US military has full control over all of its active drone assets. He also rejected Iran’s claim.
The incident came after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed to have captured a US autonomous underwater vehicle. According to the Iranian statement, the vehicle was operating for surveillance purposes in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials initially called the system REMUS 600. Later, an IRGC spokesman called it Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish. According to Iran, the vehicle was handed over to experts to review the information contained in it.
According to the Iranian claim, intelligence information and electronic warfare capabilities were used in the operation. However, the US military not only denied the claim of capture, but also did not confirm the disappearance of any active US underwater drone.
What makes this case so important is that the two countries are presenting completely different positions on the incident. Iran says it has seized American technology, while the US maintains that all its operational drones are safe and under its control.
The Strait of Hormuz has already become a major flashpoint in ongoing tensions between the US and Iran. The waterway is considered vital to global energy trade, so any claims of military activity here attract global attention. Iran has also announced in a recent statement that it will continue to close the Strait of Hormuz and take action against unauthorized movement.
Earlier this month, Iran also claimed to have captured a US underwater drone near the Strait of Hormuz. US officials acknowledged the loss of the drone in this incident, but described it as damaged and devoid of sensitive intelligence technology.
There is currently a clear contradiction between the two countries’ statements in the latest incident. Therefore, it would be premature to call the Iranian claim a definite capture of a US drone without independent verification.
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