**Iran Claims Seizure of Advanced US Submarine Drone Amid Rising Tensions**
In a development that has heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the seizure of what it described as "one of the most modern, unmanned, and smart submarines" from the US military. The incident was accompanied by the release of a video purporting to show the advanced undersea drone, which the IRGC claims is capable of performing various tasks, including seabed mapping, intelligence gathering, pipeline inspections, and anti-submarine warfare support.
The drone, identified by the IRGC as a Dive-LD model developed by US defense contractor Anduril Industries, is reported to be approximately 5.8 meters long, 1.2 meters wide, and weighs around 2.7 tons. According to the IRGC, the drone can operate underwater for up to ten days and reach depths of 6,000 meters.
However, the US military has responded by downplaying the significance of the incident. US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that Iran had seized an older model of the drone that was malfunctioning and did not contain any sensitive equipment. Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for CENTCOM, emphasized that the drone was surveilling regional waters and had neither collected sensitive data nor carried classified sonar or radar equipment.
The timing of the seizure coincides with escalating tensions between the two nations. On the same day, Iran launched ballistic missiles aimed at American military bases in the Middle East, which it described as retaliation for a previous US attack on Iranian oil tankers near Kharg Island. Following these events, the IRGC issued an "urgent warning" to tanker crews in the vicinity of Bahrain and Kuwait, advising them to vacate their vessels due to potential threats of attack.
The incident underscores the ongoing volatility in US-Iran relations, particularly in the context of military activities in the region. As both nations navigate this complex landscape, the implications of the drone seizure and the subsequent military actions remain to be seen.