File image.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced on September 10 that it had destroyed a U.S. unmanned surface vessel (USV) near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, identifying the vessel as a Saildrone.
In a statement, the Corps said the U.S. military had deployed unmanned vessels to the strategic waterway in recent days, describing the move as an effort to avoid direct confrontation with Iranian forces.
“The terrorist and aggressor U.S. military, fearing the approach of the brave fighters of Islam and confrontation with them, has in recent days begun deploying its unmanned vessels to the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement said.
The IRGC Navy added that its forces had successfully targeted one of the unmanned vessels at the entrance to the strategic waterway.
“With the help of Almighty God, the IRGC Navy struck one of the enemy’s unmanned vessels, hull number 5838, a Saildrone, at the entrance to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, thwarting its aggressive mission,” it said.
Footage released by the Corps showed what appears to be a Saildrone Explorer. The USV is equipped with sensors, radars and cameras for navigation and data collection. It combines wind-powered propulsion technology and solar-powered meteorological sensors to achieve a mission duration of up to 12 months.
The IRGC Navy also warned in its statement that hostile vessels operating in the waterway would be targeted, while asserting that it maintains extensive surveillance and control over the strategic passage.
“The Strait of Hormuz is closed and under our intelligent control and comprehensive intelligence surveillance, and any hostile presence in this strategic waterway will be targeted,” the statement said.
IRGC Navy commander Rear Adm. Ali Ozmayi separately confirmed the reported destruction of the unmanned vessel and issued a similar warning.
“The Strait of Hormuz is closed and under our intelligence surveillance and smart control. Any hostile move will be targeted,” he said.
The reported incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran continues retaliatory operations against the U.S.
On September 9, the IRGC said it had targeted two U.S. vessels, eight oil tankers and ten other ships that it said were attempting to pass through a prohibited zone of the Strait of Hormuz.
The day prior, the Corps intercepted and captured what it described as a highly advanced U.S. unmanned underwater vehicle near the entrance to the strategic waterway. The submarine was identified as the Dive-LD, a large-diameter autonomous undersea vehicle developed by the American company Anduril.
Iran appears to have shifted its focus to the unmanned assets of the U.S. Navy in an effort to limit its ability to conduct surveillance and mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
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