Iran Guards claim capture of ‘one of smartest’ US submarines in Strait of Hormuz | World News - Hindustan Times

**Iran Guards Claim Capture of ‘One of the Smartest’ U.S. Submarines in Strait of Hormuz**

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Tuesday that its naval forces had seized a “modern, unmanned” U.S. submarine in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, describing the vessel as “one of the smartest” in the U.S. fleet. The claim, first reported by the *Hindustan Times* and echoed by regional outlets such as NDTV and *The New Indian Express*, was accompanied by footage that the IRGC said showed a sleek, unmanned underwater vehicle being towed away by Iranian patrol boats. No independent verification of the capture has emerged, and U.S. officials have not publicly responded, leaving the authenticity of the video and the nature of the alleged submarine unconfirmed.

The allegation comes amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf, where Tehran has repeatedly warned of “economic warfare” and signaled intentions to establish an exclusion zone around the Strait of Hormuz. In recent weeks, Iran has threatened retaliation for alleged U.S. strikes on its energy facilities, as reported by *Deccan Chronicle*, and has hinted at expanding missile capabilities that could threaten commercial shipping lanes. The U.S Navy maintains a persistent presence in the waterway to safeguard the flow of oil, and any disruption could have immediate ramifications for global energy markets. Analysts note that the IRGC’s narrative may be aimed at showcasing its growing anti‑access/area‑denial (A2/AD) capabilities, particularly in the realm of unmanned systems, which have become a focal point of modern naval warfare.

International observers caution against drawing conclusions until corroborating evidence is available. The U.S. Department of Defense typically releases statements on incidents involving its assets, and the absence of an official comment raises questions about the incident’s scale or whether it is a strategic information operation. If the claim proves accurate, it would mark a rare instance of a state force capturing a sophisticated unmanned underwater vehicle, potentially altering the balance of underwater reconnaissance in the Gulf. Conversely, if the footage is staged, it would reflect Tehran’s broader information‑war strategy aimed at projecting strength and deterring further U.S. actions in the region.