Iran claims US underwater drone seizure in Strait of Hormuz as Pentagon denies loss

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy claims to have seized a U.S. REMUS 600 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) in the Strait of Hormuz, an assertion the U.S. military has formally denied. The IRGC stated on Monday, 28 September, that the vessel was intercepted during a "coordinated intelligence and electronic warfare operation" and has been handed to experts for data extraction. U.S. Denies Asset Loss U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) responded to the reports by confirming it maintains "positive control of all operational drone assets." This incident marks the second time the IRGC has claimed to capture American underwater technology in the strategic waterway, following a previous report involving a Dive-LD vehicle manufactured by Anduril. The IRGC initially identified the current asset as a REMUS 600 before later labeling it a "Mk 18 Kingfish," a military variant used for mine countermeasures. Capabilities of the REMUS 600 The REMUS 600, produced by U.S. defense firm HII, is a medium-sized AUV designed to operate at depths of up to 600 meters. Unlike remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) that require a tether, the REMUS 600 functions autonomously, utilizing sonar and inertial navigation to map the seabed and detect underwater hazards. Because GPS signals do not penetrate seawater, the craft relies on acoustic positioning and internal sensors to follow programmed routes. Strategic Importance of the Strait The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical…