Iran's foreign minister keeps indirect talks with the U.S. open; Iranian navy claims capture of underwater drone

The Revolutionary Guards of Iran announced on Sunday that they had seized an American submarine drone in the critically important Strait of Hormuz. In a statement broadcast through state TV, the Guards claimed that their naval forces executed a complex operation involving intelligence and electronic warfare to capture the advanced unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV).

According to the Guards, the drone was operating in the Hormuz Strait for espionage purposes and identified as a Remus 600 autonomous underwater vehicle. The Guards stated that the drone is now in the custody of their specialists for data recovery. Earlier this month, the Guards reported capturing another US submarine drone in the strait, which was crucial for oil and gas trade prior to the Middle East war that began in late February and has since blocked shipping traffic.

Iran has been maintaining a blockade of the Hormuz Strait since the conflict began, while the United States has imposed its own counter-blockade on Iranian ports.