Iran's Revolutionary Guards Seize US Underwater Drone in Strait of Hormuz

On Tuesday, Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced they had captured a US uncrewed submarine close to the Strait of Hormuz, which is a key shipping passage. Iranian state media labeled the submarine as a Dive-LD, a large autonomous underwater vehicle developed by the California-based company Anduril. This 5.8-meter (19-foot) sub is designed for several functions, including mine detection, seabed mapping, and inspecting underwater facilities like cables. The Guards Navy claimed it had caught "one of the most advanced, intelligent, and unmanned submarines of the terrorist American army." However, a Pentagon spokesperson refuted this, explaining the drone had malfunctioned over a day earlier and was an older model without sensitive gear. Anduril confirmed the loss but minimized its significance. This event highlights the growing use of underwater drones in military operations amid escalating regional tensions.