U.S. Navy thwarts alleged Iranian attempt to capture one of its unmanned ships

The U.S. Navy has prevented an Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) support ship from capturing an unmanned surface vessel in the Arabian Gulf during Aug. 29-30.

This was announced by the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command in a statement issued Tuesday, in which it detailed that the vessel the IRGCN attempted to seize was equipped with sensors, radar and cameras for navigation, but did not have any sensitive or classified information.

“While transiting international waters around 2300 hours (local time) on August 29, the U.S. 5th Fleet observed the IRGCN support ship Shahid Baziar towing an unmanned surface vessel (USV) Saildrone Explorer in an attempt to detain it,” reads the missive shared by the U.S. military.

Following this, another US vessel that was operating in the vicinity “responded immediately.” Likewise, the U.S. Army sent a combat helicopter based in Bahrain.

The United States has called the IRGCN’s actions “flagrant, unwarranted and inconsistent with the behavior of a professional maritime force.”

“U.S. naval forces remain vigilant and will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law permits while promoting rules-based international order throughout the region,” U.S. Naval Forces Central Command commander Vice Admiral Brad Cooper has assured.