Iran claims to have seized American drone US says had ‘malfunctioned’

Centcom says ‘defective’ drone was surveilling regional waters and was not collecting sensitive data

Iran claims to have seized American drone US says had ‘malfunctioned’

TL;DR

  • Iranian forces claimed to have seized a US underwater drone in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • The US Navy stated the drone malfunctioned more than a day earlier.
  • The US described the drone as defective, older, and not collecting sensitive data.
  • The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for global oil and gas shipments.
  • Iran has maintained a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz for over six months.
  • Exchanges of fire between Iran and the US have resumed after a period of calm.