US confirms underwater drone malfunctioned as Iran claims it seized vessel

U.S. Central Command on Tuesday confirmed an underwater drone malfunctioned while operating near Iran. The confirmation came after Tehran said the country’s Revolutionary Guard seized an unmanned drone in the Strait of Hormuz.CENTCOM spokesman Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins said in a statement that the submarine drone’s operational mishap occurred “more than a day ago” and noted that the vessel did not have sensitive information or equipment onboard.“It was surveying regional waters in support of ongoing operations,” Hawkins said. “The defective drone was an older model that neither collected sensitive data nor carried any classified sonar or radar equipment. U.S. operations in area waters continue.” While CENTCOM did not specify the location in which the drone was operating nor the specifics of the vessel, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Tuesday claimed its forces seized an underwater drone operating in the Strait of Hormuz.“The IRGC naval forces captured one of the most modern, unmanned, and smart submarines of the U.S. terrorist army at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz in a complex intelligence and operational action at dawn today,” the Guard told Iranian state television.The Guard touted the advanced technology of the underwater drone and released a video of the equipment. According to Fox News, U.S. officials said the drone in the video appears to be an Anduril, which is equipped with radar and sonar technology but does not collect classified information. The official said the drone could have been dead for some time and drifted into Iranian waters, but the vessel is likely broken.Fighting between Washington and Tehran resumed last week, with tensions escalating in the strait, a strategic waterway used to transport oil supplies. Both countries have imposed blockades in the conflict.Despite hostilities surpassing the six-month mark after several rounds of peace negotiations fell through, the Trump administration has attempted to quell backlash but says the conflict does not amount to a war.President Donald Trump said he refers to it as “a military conflict because it’s small potatoes.” Vice President JD Vance said the lack of active shooting signifies the conflict is not a war.BESSENT UNVEILS SANCTIONS TARGETING IRAN AIRLINES IN LATEST ‘ECONOMIC D-DAY’ TACTICDespite Trump’s refusal to “force” Iran to the negotiating table, Qatar has urged the United States to resume peace negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as the waterway’s closure has roiled energy markets and caused concern for nations across the globe.The fight with Iran has posed big trouble for Trump in the midterm elections as the price of gas hit a Labor Day record over the weekend. Gas reached $4.15 per gallon, the highest it has ever been during the busy holiday weekend. Gasoline is about 10 cents higher than a month ago, and nearly $1 higher than a year ago.