Iran's Revolutionary Guards claim seizure of second US underwater drone in Strait of Hormuz

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Published: 2026-09-27T15:13:49.802Z • Permanent link

Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced on Tuesday that they had seized a second US underwater drone in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. The incident is the latest in a series of escalations between the US and Iran following the US drone strike that killed top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in January 2020. The seized drone, identified by Iran as a REMUS 600, was reportedly recovered from the waters near the Iranian island of Farsi, according to state-run Iranian news agency IRNA.

According to reports, the US Navy's 5th Fleet, which is responsible for maritime security in the region, confirmed that one of its Navy SEALs was part of the team that recovered the drone. The SEAL, whose name has not been released, is reportedly being held by Iranian authorities. US officials have declined to comment on the incident, but sources close to the matter say that the US is working to secure the release of the SEAL and the return of the drone. The Iranian government has stated that it will share the data from the drone with the international community, but details on how and when this will happen remain unclear.

The seizure of the REMUS 600 is a significant development in the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, which have been exacerbated by a series of incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, including the 2019 shooting down of a US Navy RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance drone by an Iranian surface-to-air missile. The US has accused Iran of being responsible for several other incidents, including the sabotage of oil tankers in the region. The Iranian government has denied these allegations, but the US has imposed new sanctions on Iran in response to the incidents.

The seizure of the REMUS 600 has significant implications for the global maritime security community, particularly for companies that operate in the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait is a critical waterway for the global oil trade, with over 20% of the world's oil passing through it. Any disruption to maritime security in the region could have far-reaching consequences for the global economy. The US Navy's 5th Fleet is responsible for securing the Strait, and the seizure of the REMUS 600 has raised concerns about the ability of the fleet to do so effectively.

The incident has also raised concerns about the impact on research communities, particularly those studying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and underwater vehicles. The REMUS 600 is a highly advanced underwater drone, and the seizure of the drone could limit the ability of researchers to study its technology and capabilities. The incident has also sparked concerns about the potential for future incidents, particularly in the context of the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran. Companies that operate in the region, such as shipping and logistics firms, may need to take steps to enhance security measures to mitigate the risk of future incidents.

The seizure of the REMUS 600 is part of a larger pattern of escalating tensions between the US and Iran, which have been building since the US drone strike that killed Soleimani in January 2020. The incident is also part of a broader context of increased competition for influence in the Middle East, with both the US and Iran seeking to expand their reach and influence in the region. This competition is driven by a range of factors, including the ongoing conflict in Syria, the rise of extremist groups in Iraq and Yemen, and the growing importance of the Middle East as a major hub for global energy production.