IRGC Captures U.S. Underwater Drone in Hormuz

Iran's Revolutionary Guard naval force said it captured one U.S. Remus 600 autonomous underwater vehicle in the Strait of Hormuz, a move officials said may yield recoverable intelligence.

Officials said the seizure followed intelligence and electronic-warfare operations that located and allowed forces to seize the vehicle; they added specialists were examining it and attempting to recover stored data.

The Remus 600 is an autonomous underwater vehicle used for seabed surveys and mine-related operations, officials said. No independent evidence has been made public to confirm the military's claim that the device was conducting espionage, and officials noted Tehran reported a similar capture earlier this month.

Data recovery under way

Officials said the priority is to extract sensor logs and onboard data to determine what the vehicle recorded and which systems were active. The statement framed the examination as a technical effort by specialists to assess the device and its payload.

The seizure comes as operations by regional forces continue around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic passage for maritime trade and energy flows. Officials said the incident will be watched by regional navies and states with interests in the waterway.

If Iranian authorities announce that data has been recovered by Oct. 4, 2026, then diplomatic and operational responses from other governments could accelerate, depending on what the examination discloses.