U.S. Military Destroys Iranian Boats Attempting Sea Drone Seizure
The U.S. military announced it destroyed two small Iranian boats that were attempting to seize a U.S. sea drone in waters off Iran.
Houston, TX, September 15, 2026 —
The United States military reported that it took action against two small Iranian boats that were attempting to seize a U.S. naval drone in international waters off the coast of Iran. The incident occurred on August 23, 2023. According to official statements, the Iranian vessels attempted to seize the Saildrone Explorer, a maritime surface drone used for surveillance and data collection.
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Thomas Hudner was reportedly on the scene and responded to the situation. U.S. military officials stated that the destroyer engaged the Iranian boats, leading to their destruction. The U.S. military emphasized that the sea drone was not taken and was able to continue its operations. The specifics regarding the type of weapons used or the exact number of personnel involved were not immediately provided.
This event marks another instance of maritime tension in the Persian Gulf region, where Iran and the U.S. have had several confrontations involving naval assets. The U.S. military maintains a presence in the region to ensure freedom of navigation and deter threats. The U.S. Fifth Fleet, which oversees naval operations in the area, has been involved in similar incidents previously.
The Iranian boats’ attempt to seize the U.S. sea drone occurred in the Strait of Hormuz vicinity, a critical chokepoint for global oil transport. The U.S. military stated that the actions taken were necessary to prevent the drone from being captured and to ensure maritime security. Further details regarding the aftermath of the engagement or any diplomatic responses have not been disclosed by the involved parties.
Story summarized from the original created by Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press on www.click2houston.com, see more information here.
