Iranian forces have claimed to have seized an American underwater drone in the Strait of Hormuz. The US military, however, stated that the drone had "malfunctioned" more than a day prior to the alleged seizure.
US Navy Capt Tim Hawkins, a United States Central Command spokesperson, said the drone was surveilling regional waters when it malfunctioned. He described the submersible as "defective" and an older model that did not collect sensitive data or carry classified equipment.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed its naval forces "captured one of the most modern, unmanned, and smart submarines of the US terrorist army at the entrance to the strait of Hormuz," according to Iranian TV. The IRGC stated this was a "complex intelligence and operational action at dawn" and that images would be released.
The Strait of Hormuz has been under an Iranian blockade for over six months since the outbreak of war, while the US has imposed its own blockade of Iranian ports. The strait typically handles about one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments.
After a month of relative calm in August, Iran and the US have resumed exchanges of fire, leading to global oil prices returning to levels last seen in July.