US dismisses Iran's underwater drone capture claim as 'desperate'

The US military has dismissed assertions by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that it had captured an American underwater drone operating in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the claim a 'desperate' move. According to US officials, the drone in question had experienced a technical malfunction prior to any Iranian claims regarding its capture.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most strategically significant maritime passages, with roughly one-third of seaborne traded oil passing through its waters. The waterway has long been a flashpoint for military tensions, with both Iranian and American forces maintaining regular operations in the region.

This latest dispute follows Iran's earlier announcement of capturing another US military drone, underscoring the escalating pattern of incidents involving unmanned systems in the area. The US military's swift rebuttal suggests both nations continue to employ competing narratives surrounding military activities in the contested waters.

The confrontation reflects broader geopolitical tensions between Washington and Tehran, with naval operations and surveillance activities remaining a persistent source of friction. The incident further highlights the risks posed by increased military presence and autonomous systems operating in contested maritime zones.