Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Iran Claims Strike on US Drone Near Strait of Hormuz
Iran says it attacked a small US-operated sea drone near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran called the drone’s mission aggressive.
The United States has not publicly confirmed that the surface drone was struck.
Iran earlier said it captured another unmanned underwater drone.
The US military said that underwater drone had malfunctioned during a survey.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is closed and under its control.
It has warned that it will target what it considers hostile forces there.
Iran also plans to create a restricted maritime zone.
Ships entering that zone without coordinating with Iran could face limits on future access and services.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it struck a US Saildrone Explorer near the Strait of Hormuz entrance.
The IRGC described the unmanned surface vessel as conducting an “aggressive mission.”
Iran repeated that the strait is closed and warned that hostile forces would be targeted.
The IRGC previously claimed to capture a US Dive-LD underwater drone, while the US said one drone had malfunctioned.
Iran also threatened sanctions against vessels entering a proposed restricted zone without coordination with Tehran.
- Who
- Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a US-operated unmanned surface vessel; the US military was also involved in the separate underwater-drone incident.
- What
- The IRGC claimed it struck a Saildrone Explorer and warned of action against hostile forces and unauthorized vessels.
- When
- The surface-drone strike was reported in the latest statement; the separate underwater-drone capture claim was made Tuesday, and the restricted-zone warning was issued Wednesday.
- Where
- At or near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, with the proposed restricted zone extending from around Chabahar across parts of the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea.
- Why
- The IRGC said the surface drone was on an aggressive mission and framed its actions as a response to what Iran calls enemy aggression.
Iranian Claims
US Account
Surface-drone incident
Iranian Claims
The IRGC said it struck a Saildrone Explorer conducting an aggressive mission near the Strait of Hormuz entrance.
US Account
The articles do not report a US confirmation that the surface drone was struck.
Underwater-drone incident
Iranian Claims
Iran said its navy captured a Dive-LD unmanned underwater vehicle.
US Account
The US military said one of its underwater drones malfunctioned during a regional survey and did not say whether Iran seized it.
Control of the strait
Iranian Claims
Iran said the Strait of Hormuz is closed and under its control and warned that hostile forces would be targeted.
US Account
The articles provide no separate US response to Iran’s declaration about the strait’s status.
- Vessel identified by Iran
- Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vehicle
- Earlier underwater drone
- Dive-LD; Iran said it captured the vehicle, while the US said one underwater drone malfunctioned.
- Iranian position
- The Strait of Hormuz is closed and under Iranian control.
- Proposed restricted zone
- It would generally begin around Chabahar and include parts of the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, and routes toward Hormuz.
- Possible vessel penalties
- Iran threatened to deny future Strait of Hormuz access and port, insurance, and other services.
- US drone operators cited
- The United States Fifth Fleet and Task Force 59, headquartered in Bahrain, previously used Saildrone Explorer vessels in the region.
