Iran says it captured US submarine drone in Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have claimed to have captured a U.S. uncrewed submarine, known as the Dive-LD, at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. The 19-foot autonomous underwater vehicle, built by California defense firm Anduril, is capable of carrying out various missions including mine countermeasures, seabed mapping, intelligence gathering, and inspection of underwater infrastructure.

The Revolutionary Guards Navy stated that the submersible, equipped with the latest technologies, was captured during an operation. In response, a Pentagon spokesperson confirmed that an underwater drone had malfunctioned over a day ago while surveying regional waters in support of ongoing operations. The spokesperson clarified that the drone was an older model that did not collect sensitive data or carry classified sonar or radar equipment.

However, Reuters could not independently verify Iran's claims, and Anduril did not comment on the matter. The U.S. military is increasingly investing in unmanned naval systems, including underwater vessels, to monitor vast ocean areas, gather intelligence, and track adversary ships and submarines without risking human lives.

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