Iran Releases Video of Captured US Unmanned Submarine, Rebuts Washington’s Denial

TEHRAN: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has released video footage of a US unmanned submarine captured near the Strait of Hormuz, responding to Washington’s denial of Iran’s account of the incident.

The IRGC had earlier announced that its forces intercepted the American unmanned submarine near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz during what it described as a complex intelligence and operational mission.

Iranian officials said the unmanned submarine had been deployed for surveillance operations in the strategically important waterway.

Following the US military’s rejection of Iran’s account, the IRGC released video footage showing the captured American unmanned submarine.

Iranian personnel can be seen examining and inspecting the submarine after taking it into custody.

The IRGC presented the footage as evidence of its successful interception of the American underwater system.

The video also features a Quranic verse associated with the promise of victory, highlighting the importance Tehran attaches to the operation.

The IRGC said the operation demonstrated the strength of Iran’s intelligence and surveillance capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz.

The force reiterated that maritime activity around the strategic waterway remains under close Iranian monitoring and that vessels are required to obtain prior permission before entering designated areas.

Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that foreign military activity near the country’s territorial waters will be closely monitored.

The US military previously rejected Iran’s description of the incident, saying the captured system was an unmanned Dive-LD underwater vehicle rather than an operational American submarine.

According to US officials, the vehicle had malfunctioned more than a day before it was recovered and was being used for maritime survey operations.

Washington also said the system did not contain sensitive classified sonar or radar equipment.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States around the Strait of Hormuz.

The strategic waterway remains a vital route for international energy shipments, while Iran has significantly tightened surveillance and security measures amid the ongoing confrontation.

The release of the footage has added another dimension to the dispute, with Tehran using the captured unmanned submarine to highlight its ability to detect and intercept sophisticated underwater systems operating near the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident also underscores the increasingly contested security environment around the strategically vital waterway.