Iran Says It Seized US Underwater Drone Using Intelligence, Electronic Warfare

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy on Sunday claimed that it had captured a US REMUS 600 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) operating in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Iranian state media, the IRGC said the operation involved intelligence capabilities and electronic warfare. Iranian authorities alleged that the underwater vehicle was conducting an intelligence-gathering mission in the strategically important waterway. The IRGC said the vehicle is now being examined by Iranian specialists in an effort to recover information stored on it. 

The REMUS 600 is an autonomous underwater vehicle designed for missions including mine detection, seabed mapping and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Reports on the Iranian claim said the vehicle was operating underwater in the Strait of Hormuz when it was intercepted. 

The reported seizure comes amid an intense standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor. Iran has maintained that the waterway remains closed amid the ongoing conflict, while diplomatic efforts have continued over conditions for reopening it. Reuters reported earlier this month that Tehran had indicated it could reopen the strait if US military pressure was reduced and the naval blockade on Iranian ports was lifted. 

The latest incident is also notable because the IRGC had claimed another US underwater-drone seizure earlier in September, identifying that vehicle as an Anduril Dive-LD. In that earlier case, US officials acknowledged the loss but described the vehicle as defective and said it did not contain sensitive technology. 

Important: The latest REMUS 600 seizure is currently an Iranian military claim; there was no immediate US confirmation reported by state broadcaster Akashvani.