Iran Guards say they seized US underwater drone

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Sunday that they seized a US unmanned underwater vehicle in the Strait of Hormuz, where Tehran has maintained a blockade during the Middle East war.

The Guards' naval forces said in a statement carried by state TV that they captured an advanced underwater drone belonging to the US military through an operation involving intelligence oversight and electronic warfare.

They alleged the drone was operating in the strait for espionage purposes. The Guards identified it as a Remus 600 autonomous underwater vehicle and said it was being examined for data recovery.

Earlier this month, the Guards said they captured another US submarine drone in the strait. The waterway was crucial for oil and gas trade before the Middle East war began in late February and choked off shipping. Iran has maintained a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States has imposed a counter-blockade of Iranian ports.