The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Friday that all American unmanned surface vessels in the region were accounted for, including a squadron of advanced sea drones patrolling the Strait of Hormuz as part of its defensive operations, Anadolu Agency reported.
Earlier in the day, the Iranian Navy claimed it had destroyed an “enemy unmanned vessel” operating east of the strait, according to a statement carried by Iran’s official IRNA news agency. The statement did not identify the vessel or its operator.
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Iranian authorities also reported separate incidents involving oil tankers. The Iranian Navy said two tankers had struck naval mines and caught fire after sailing in areas Tehran considers restricted, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said it had stopped two tankers attempting to pass through the strait using unauthorized routes.
The claims come amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway that carries a significant share of global oil supplies.
The competing accounts have added to concerns over maritime security in the region, where disruptions to shipping could have broader implications for international energy markets.
