According to a report by Reuters on September 8, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced that they had captured an American unmanned submarine at the entrance of the Hormuz Strait. This incident unusually demonstrated the use of underwater drones in military operations. Subsequently, both the United States and Iran expressed different opinions regarding the classification of the submarine.
According to Iranian national media outlet 'Balanced Communication Agency', the captured underwater vehicle is named 'Dive-LD'. It is a large autonomous underwater vehicle manufactured by the American defense company Anduril. The company states that this 19-foot-long (approximately 5.8 meters) vehicle can perform various tasks, including mine countermeasures, seabed mapping, intelligence collection, and inspection of underwater infrastructure such as cables and pipelines.
The captured “Dive-LD” type unmanned submarine, Reuters
According to a statement issued by the Revolutionary Guard Navy, “We have trapped one of the most advanced and intelligent unmanned submarines belonging to the ‘terrorist’ US military at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. This submarine is equipped with the latest technology.”
"Balance Communication Company" also indicates that this unmanned submarine was delivered to the US military in 2025.
In response, a spokesperson for the five-building said that the underwater drone "experienced a malfunction the day before yesterday". The spokesperson added: “It was conducting surveys of the area at the time to support ongoing operations.”
Additionally, a US spokesperson argued that this malfunctioning unmanned submarine was of an "older model," and "did not collect sensitive data, nor did it carry any confidential sonar or radar equipment."
It is reported that the US military is investing heavily in unmanned naval systems, including underwater and surface vessels. The goal is to monitor vast sea areas at lower costs, gather intelligence, and track enemy ships and submarines without putting soldiers at risk.
According to the Jerusalem Post, in July this year, the US military carried out a military operation named 'Epic Fury' in which three unmanned surface vehicles of the type 'Pirate' were used to attack submarine and ship repair facilities at the naval base in Abas port, Iran. The US military stated that this operation 'weakened Iran's ability to continue attacking merchant ships'.
According to the official website of Anduriel Corporation, the captured "Dive-LD" can operate continuously for up to 10 days without the need for return and rest. Its designed diving depth can reach 19,700 feet (approximately 6,000 meters). According to a report by the American military news website DefenseScoop in 2024, each "Dive-LD" costs about $2.5 million, with its selling price not disclosed.
