Iran has claimed that it captured a US submarine drone in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday evening. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi says forces seized the US Navy MK 18 MOD 2 Kingfish submersible drone in the highly strategic strait.
IRGC hails alleged seizure as 'intelligence prize'
Hailing the alleged seizure as an “intelligence prize,” Mohebbi wrote in a post on X that the submarine drone was equipped with “sonar and precise navigation” systems. Mohebbi claimed that this was the IRGC's “second catch” and praised the capture as an “intelligence prize,” attaching a picture previously circulated by the IRGC that identifies the vessel as a REMUS 600.
He added that the Strait of Hormuz serves as a “hunting ground” for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) in its efforts to track American submarines.
Mohebbi's statement on the capture
Mohebbi said: "The Strait of Hormuz is not only not open, but it is a hunting ground for the Spaah Navy for American submarines. The second kill has also been captured, this time an Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish; an advanced, autonomous AUV equipped with sonar and precise navigation, worth several million dollars. It's not just a kill; it's an intelligence prize."
Meanwhile, the IRGC claims the vehicle is a REMUS 600 and has been handed over to Iranian military experts “to retrieve its data.”
US refutes claim
The IRGC Navy then reiterated Tehran's claim that “the Strait of Hormuz is closed,” warning that its forces would confront any unauthorised passage or military activity in the waterway.
The US refuted these accusations shortly after. In a statement to Al Jazeera, CENTCOM spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins said the US has “positive control of all of our operational drone assets.”
The latest claim marks the second time in recent days that Tehran has said it seized US underwater equipment. On Tuesday, IRGC claimed it had intercepted another autonomous underwater vehicle, identified as a Dive-LD manufactured by US defence company Anduril, near the entrance to the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Washington has not publicly responded to the claim.
No plans for negotiations
This comes as sources close to the Iranian delegation in New York report that Iran has no plans to negotiate with the United States.
A source close to the Islamic Republic of Iran's delegation, which has travelled to New York to participate in the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly, denied reports about negotiations between Iran and the US in New York, stating: "The Islamic Republic of Iran's considerations and positions were conveyed explicitly and transparently to the American side last Tuesday through the Qatari mediator, and Iran is awaiting a response from the American side."
Accordingly, there are no plans for a new round of negotiations with the American side on the agenda of the Iranian delegation, and the Foreign Minister will return to his homeland on Tuesday after completing the scheduled programmes.
