IRGC Repeats US Drone Seizure Claim in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's IRGC claims it has captured a second US underwater drone, identifying it as the advanced Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has once again asserted that it has intercepted a United States underwater drone within the strategic waters of the Strait of Hormuz. In a significant update to its previous claims, the Iranian military force has now provided a specific identification for the captured technology.
New Identity for the Captured Submersible
While earlier reports from the IRGC Navy suggested the captured device was a REMUS 600, the organization has now officially reclassified the asset. According to a statement released via social media by IRGC spokesperson, Second Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi, the intercepted autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is actually a Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish.
The IRGC emphasized the high value of the technology, describing the Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish as an advanced, autonomous system equipped with sophisticated sonar and precision navigation capabilities. The military body noted that the device is worth several million dollars, making the acquisition a significant "trophy of technology and intelligence."
A "Hunting Ground" for Submersibles
The IRGC has adopted a defiant tone regarding its presence in the waterway. In a statement shared on X, the spokesperson remarked that the Strait of Hormuz is not merely open for transit but has become a "hunting ground" for the IRGC Navy targeting American submersibles. This incident marks the second such capture reported by the Iranian force in the region.
The operation was described by Iranian military authorities as a "coordinated and complex" mission. They claim the success of the interception was made possible through a combination of military intelligence oversight and advanced electronic warfare capabilities used to trap the drone, which they allege was conducting espionage missions.
Intelligence Recovery and Maritime Warnings
Following the seizure, the captured platform has been transferred to specialized military technicians. According to the state broadcaster IRIB, these specialists are currently working to analyze the system and recover stored data from the drone's internal memory.
The IRGC Navy has reiterated its strict stance on maritime transit through the strategic choke point. The organization declared that the Strait of Hormuz is effectively "closed" to unauthorized traffic and warned that it will continue to take "strong and relentless" action against any movements deemed dangerous or unauthorized within the waterway.