- On Tuesday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy claimed to have captured a US unmanned submersible at the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz during a complex intelligence and operational operation.
- Iranian media identified the captured system as an Anduril Dive-LD, an autonomous underwater vehicle delivered to the US Navy in 2025.
- The United States has yet to comment on the IRGC Navy's claim.
- The IRGC Navy stated that the submersible is equipped with the latest technology in the underwater field and was delivered to the US fleet in 2025.
- The capture comes amid a sharp escalation between Iran and the United States over the Strait of Hormuz, including recent US strikes on Iranian oil tankers and Iranian missile attacks targeting US naval forces.
- The Dive-LD is approximately 5.8 meters long, has a diameter of about 1.2 meters, weighs roughly 2.7 tonnes, and has an endurance of up to 10 days underwater.
- The capture marks the latest in a long history of Iran intercepting and seizing advanced Western military technology, including the RQ-170 Sentinel stealth drone and MQ-9 Reaper drones.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced the capture of a US unmanned submersible in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming it was a sophisticated Anduril Dive-LD model equipped with advanced underwater technology. The operation was described as a "complex intelligence and operational action" carried out at dawn on September 8.
The Dive-LD is approximately 5.8 meters long, 2 meters in diameter, and weighs around 3 tons. It is designed for multi-day missions and can be configured for various operations, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and mine countermeasures. The IRGC stated that the submersible was seized as a "war trophy" and that photographic evidence would be released soon.
The US has not yet commented on the IRGC's claim, which comes amid escalating tensions in the region, including recent military exchanges between the two nations. The capture of the unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) adds to a history of Iran intercepting advanced Western military technology, which has previously included the downing of RQ-170 Sentinel and MQ-9 Reaper drones. Such captures have historically aided Iran's domestic drone and unmanned naval programs through reverse-engineering.
The IRGC Navy emphasized that the submersible was delivered to the US fleet in 2025, highlighting its advanced capabilities. The ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint, continue to raise concerns over regional security and military engagements.
“The captured Dive-LD, delivered to the US Navy in 2025, is about 5.8 meters long and can operate at depths up to 6,000 meters. Iran has a history of reverse-engineering seized US tech, including RQ-170 and MQ-9 drones, to advance its own programs.”
navalnews.com
