Iran has claimed responsibility for the destruction of a US drone boat in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported that they targeted and destroyed a Saildrone vehicle identified by its hull number 5838. This incident occurred on September 10, and the IRGC released a video showing the drone boat engulfed in flames.

The IRGC emphasized its ongoing control and surveillance over the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that any hostile forces present in this maritime corridor would be targeted. According to the manufacturer, the Saildrone Explorer measures 7 meters in length and has a sail height of 5 meters, with an average speed of 2-6 km/h. It operates on solar energy and wind, boasting an unlimited range and the capability to function continuously for over 12 months.

Saildrone claims that no other vehicle globally can collect scientific data above and below the sea with such high quality and resolution over extended operational periods. The US has previously utilized the Explorer for data collection and imagery in the Gulf region.

Iranian media reported that the drone boat was deployed in the area overseen by the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and Task Force 59, which is stationed in Bahrain and focuses on developing drone technology and AI networks for the US Navy.

In a related development, on September 8, the IRGC announced it had seized a US unmanned underwater vehicle, the Dive-LD, at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. This seizure was described as the result of a complex military and intelligence operation. Images released showed the vehicle in relatively intact condition.

Colonel Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command (CENTCOM), confirmed that a US-operated unmanned underwater vehicle had encountered issues while surveying waters in the region to support operational activities. He clarified that the vehicle was an older model, did not collect sensitive data, and lacked advanced positioning and radar systems. However, CENTCOM did not confirm whether this vehicle was the same one seized by Iran.

The ongoing tensions in the region highlight the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world's oil supply is transported.