Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Iran Claims Capture of US Underwater Drone Near Hormuz
Iran says it captured an unmanned underwater vehicle belonging to the United States.
The vehicle was identified as a Dive-LD.
Iran said the capture happened near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials described it as the result of an intelligence operation.
Iran also said it shot down an MQ-9 Reaper drone.
The United States did not confirm that Iran captured its vehicle.
Instead, the Pentagon said one of its underwater drones had malfunctioned during a survey.
The Pentagon said that drone was old and did not carry sensitive information.
Iran’s navy said it captured a US-made Dive-LD unmanned underwater vehicle near the Strait of Hormuz.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the seizure followed a complex intelligence operation.
Iran separately claimed its air defenses shot down an MQ-9 Reaper drone over the strait.
The Pentagon said one of its underwater drones malfunctioned during a regional-water survey the previous day.
The US said the malfunctioning drone was an older model that carried no sensitive or classified equipment.
- Who
- Iran’s navy and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps made the claims; the Pentagon described a US underwater drone malfunction.
- What
- Iran claimed it captured a Dive-LD unmanned underwater vehicle and shot down an MQ-9 Reaper drone; the US said an underwater drone malfunctioned.
- When
- The US said the malfunction occurred more than a day before Iran’s announcement.
- Where
- At or near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz and in regional waters.
- Why
- Iran said the capture resulted from a complex intelligence operation; the US said its drone was surveying regional waters in support of ongoing operations.
Iranian Claims
US Account
What happened to the underwater vehicle
Iranian Claims
Iran said its navy captured a modern US unmanned underwater vehicle, identified as a Dive-LD, during an intelligence operation.
US Account
The Pentagon said one of its underwater drones malfunctioned during a survey, but did not confirm whether it was the vehicle Iran said it seized.
Vehicle capabilities and sensitivity
Iranian Claims
Iran described the vehicle as using highly advanced subsurface technology.
US Account
The Pentagon said the defective drone was an older model and carried neither sensitive data nor classified sonar or radar equipment.
Drone shoot-down claim
Iranian Claims
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Iranian air defenses shot down an MQ-9 Reaper over the Strait of Hormuz.
US Account
The US statement cited in the report did not address or confirm the alleged MQ-9 Reaper shoot-down.
- Captured vehicle identified as
- Dive-LD unmanned underwater vehicle
- Iranian military body
- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
- Additional Iranian claim
- An MQ-9 Reaper drone was shot down over the Strait of Hormuz
- US account
- An underwater drone malfunctioned during a regional-water survey
- US description of vehicle
- An older model with no sensitive data or classified sonar or radar equipment
- Location
- Entrance to the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding regional waters