Iran’s Islamic Republic Revolutionary Guard seized a US sea drone in the Persian Gulf and tried to tow it away, only releasing the uncrewed vessel when a US Navy warship and helicopter approached, US officials said on Tuesday.
It was the first time Iran targeted the US Navy’s Middle East-based 5th Fleet’s new drone task force.
While the interception ended without incident, tensions remain high between Washington and Tehran as negotiations over the Islamic republic’s tattered nuclear deal with world powers hang in the balance.
Photo: Reuters / US Navy
Iran’s Shahid Baziar warship attached a line to the Saildrone Explorer in the center of the Persian Gulf in international waters late on Monday night, 5th Fleet spokesman Commander Tim Hawkins said.
The vessel then began towing the Saildrone Explorer, which carries cameras, radars and sensors for remotely monitoring the sea, Hawkins said.
The USS Thunderbolt, a coastal patrol boat, as well as an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter, moved to shadow the Guard’s ship.
The US Navy called the Shahid Baziar by radio to identify the drone as American, Hawkins said.
“Our response was one that as such made clear that this was US government property, and was operating in international waters and that we had every intention to take action if necessary,” he said.
Hawkins said the incident ended peacefully after about four hours as the Iranians unhooked the tow line to the drone and left the area as the US forces were nearby.
Videos released by the US Navy showed the Iranian vessel towing the drone with the Thunderbolt in pursuit.
US Army General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, who leads the military’s Central Command, praised the Thunderbolt’s crew for its response.
“This incident once again demonstrates Iran’s continued destabilizing, illegal and unprofessional activity in the Middle East,” he said in a statement.
Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency, believed to be close to the Guard, alleged without providing evidence early yesterday that the uncrewed vessel posed a danger to international shipping.
Tasnim said the Revolutionary Guard released the vessel, but describes the US account as “a Hollywood narrative and contrary to the truth.”
Iran’s mission to the UN did not respond to a request for comment.
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