Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Iranian Guards Claim Second US Drone Seized In Hormuz
Iran says its Revolutionary Guard captured an American underwater robot in the Strait of Hormuz.
The robot can operate without a person inside it.
Iran first called it a REMUS 600 and said it was being used for spying.
Later, an Iranian spokesperson called the vehicle a Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish.
This means the reports contain different descriptions of the robot’s model.
Iran says its forces used intelligence and electronic warfare to capture it.
Iranian specialists are examining the vehicle and trying to recover its stored information.
The announcement came during wider tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel over the waterway.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it captured a second US unmanned underwater vehicle in the Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC initially identified the vehicle as a REMUS 600 conducting alleged espionage activities.
An IRGC spokesperson later identified the same reported capture as a Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish, creating a discrepancy over its model.
Iran says the vehicle was seized through intelligence and electronic-warfare operations and transferred to specialists for data recovery.
The IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to unauthorized traffic, while reports describe disputes over blockades and a proposed ceasefire.
- Who
- Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the United States are involved; Iranian officials also mentioned President Masoud Pezeshkian and IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi.
- What
- The IRGC claims it captured a second US unmanned underwater vehicle and sent it to specialists for analysis and data recovery.
- When
- The claim was announced and repeated on Sunday; Iran said another US unmanned submarine had been captured earlier that month.
- Where
- The reported seizure occurred in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- Iran alleges the vehicle was conducting espionage and says it is responding to dangerous movements and unauthorized traffic amid broader regional tensions.
Iran’s Account
Unconfirmed or Contradictory Reporting
Whether the vehicle was conducting espionage
Iran’s Account
The IRGC says the US unmanned vehicle was operating in the Strait of Hormuz for espionage and was captured during an intelligence and electronic-warfare operation.
Unconfirmed or Contradictory Reporting
The provided reports do not include a US confirmation of the alleged espionage mission or an independent verification of the capture.
Identity of the captured vehicle
Iran’s Account
Iranian statements initially called the vehicle a REMUS 600 and later identified the reported second capture as a Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish.
Unconfirmed or Contradictory Reporting
The differing Iranian descriptions leave the vehicle’s precise model unclear in the available reporting.
Status of the Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Account
The IRGC says the strait is closed to unauthorized traffic and that it is taking action against dangerous movements.
Unconfirmed or Contradictory Reporting
One IRGC social-media statement described the strait as open but a hunting ground, while other Iranian statements described it as closed; the reports also describe a US counter-blockade of Iranian ports.
- Claiming authority
- Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Naval Forces
- Reported vehicle
- Initially identified as a REMUS 600; later described by an IRGC spokesperson as a Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish
- Iran’s allegation
- The unmanned vehicle was conducting espionage in the Strait of Hormuz
- Reported capture method
- A coordinated operation involving intelligence capabilities and electronic warfare
- Follow-up action
- Iranian specialists were assigned to analyze the vehicle and recover stored data
- Earlier reported seizure
- The IRGC previously said it captured another US unmanned submarine, identified in one report as a Dive-LD
- Related dispute
- Iran proposed a seven-day ceasefire and reopening the strait; reports say US President Donald Trump rejected the proposal
Sources
Iran's IRGC claims it captured second US unmanned submersible in Strait of Hormuz
"For Data Recovery": Iran Guards Seize US Submarine Drone In Hormuz
Iran captures second US unmanned submarine in Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions