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Iran claims to have seized American drone US says had ‘malfunctioned’
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Iranian forces claimed to have seized a US underwater drone in the Strait of Hormuz, while the US military stated the drone had malfunctioned more than a day earlier during surveillance operations.
- The US described the drone as an older, defective model without sensitive data or classified equipment, and confirmed ongoing operations in the area.
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) hailed the capture as a complex intelligence and operational success, promising to release images of the drone.
- Iran has maintained a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz since the war began over six months ago, disrupting a key route for global oil and gas shipments, while the US has imposed its own blockade on Iranian ports.
- Recent escalations between Iran and the US have driven global oil prices up, with the conflict having resulted in significant casualties on both sides, including 18 US service members.
