Iran claims capture of second US underwater surveillance drone

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed Wednesday that its naval forces had recovered a US Navy Remus 600 autonomous underwater vehicle in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. The IRGC released video footage purporting to show the seized drone, asserting it had been operating in Iranian territorial waters for reconnaissance purposes.

The incident marks a renewed point of tension in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-third of globally traded oil passes. The IRGC's claims could not be independently verified, though such seizures have occurred previously in the region during periods of heightened US-Iran tensions.

The Remus 600 is a small, battery-powered autonomous vehicle designed for seafloor mapping and surveillance operations. The US military has deployed such systems in Middle Eastern waters for decades, citing legitimate oceanographic and navigational purposes. Iran has previously claimed to have captured similar American surveillance equipment, though verification remains difficult.

The reported seizure comes amid ongoing friction between Washington and Tehran over nuclear negotiations and regional security concerns. The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint where both nations have demonstrated military capabilities, with occasional incidents involving naval vessels and unmanned systems.