US Drones Strike Iranian Boats After Attempted Seizure of Unmanned Vessel

U.S. military drones struck two small Iranian boats on Monday after they attempted to seize an American unmanned naval vessel patrolling the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. officials. The incident, which occurred near the port city of Qargan, close to Qeshm Island in Iran's Hormozgan province, was initially not disclosed by the U.S. military. Iranian media reported the incident as a drone attack against "fishing boats."

According to an American official, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps used the fishing boats in an attempt to take control of the U.S. Navy's unmanned vessel, which is used for patrols in the Strait of Hormuz. After U.S. forces identified the attempted seizure, a drone launched two missiles at the boats, destroying them and killing most of the crew.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins confirmed the incident, stating, "Small Iranian boats recently attempted to seize a U.S. unmanned vessel, but failed after CENTCOM forces responded forcefully." He added, "The unmanned vessel remained under American operational control."

The incident occurred as the U.S. is increasing tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, with joint efforts alongside Gulf states to allow more vessels to transit during daylight hours. Following escalations with Houthis in the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia has significantly increased its oil tanker shipments through the strait. U.S. forces have also expanded de-mined areas in the strait's central shipping lane. Approximately 40 vessels transit the strait daily under U.S. military guidance and protection, with an average of 14 million barrels of oil exported daily.