WASHINGTON — The U.S. military says American forces destroyed two small Iranian boats after they allegedly attempted to seize a U.S. unmanned surface vessel in waters off Iran, marking another direct confrontation in the ongoing U.S.–Iran conflict.
U.S. Central Command spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said the Iranian boats recently attempted to take possession of an American unmanned surface vessel but failed after U.S. forces responded.
The incident adds another dangerous flashpoint to the more than six-month conflict as Washington and Tehran continue to clash over maritime operations near the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz.
What Happened?
According to U.S. Central Command, the Iranian boats approached a Saildrone, an unmanned surface vessel used by the U.S. military for maritime surveillance.
The autonomous craft is approximately 25 feet — or about 8 meters — long and can operate without a crew onboard.
CENTCOM says Iranian forces attempted to take possession of the vessel before U.S. forces intervened and destroyed the two boats.
Hawkins said the attempt failed and that all of CENTCOM’s surface drones remain accounted for.
Iran Gives a Different Account
Iranian authorities have presented a different version of the incident.
Iranian state media reported that two fishing boats were attacked in the Persian Gulf near Hormozgan province, with several fishermen reported missing.
A provincial Iranian official described the attacker as an “enemy drone.”
The Iranian report did not mention an attempt to seize an American Saildrone.
The conflicting U.S. and Iranian accounts have not been independently reconciled.
Another Drone Incident
The confrontation follows another incident involving American unmanned technology in the region.
Iranian state television previously reported that Iran’s navy had captured a U.S. underwater drone near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM acknowledged losing possession of that drone but said the Anduril Dive-LD had malfunctioned while operating in the area.
The U.S. military said the drone was an older model and did not contain classified sonar, radar equipment or sensitive data.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Critical
The latest confrontation comes as control and security around the Strait of Hormuz remain central to the wider conflict.
The narrow waterway is one of the world’s most important energy shipping corridors, carrying oil and natural gas exports from major Middle Eastern producers to global markets.
Continued military confrontations around the strait could further increase risks for commercial shipping and global energy supplies.
The United States has made progress in recent weeks toward increasing shipping through the corridor, but tensions remain high.
Washington Also Pursues Diplomacy
Even as military confrontations continue, Washington is pursuing diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke Tuesday with Oman’s foreign minister about efforts to de-escalate the situation and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Oman has historically played an important diplomatic role between Washington and Tehran.
The destruction of the two boats, however, shows how quickly another encounter at sea could escalate.
With U.S. and Iranian forces continuing to operate around the same strategically important waters, the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most closely watched flashpoints in the Middle East.
Source: Associated Press — September 15, 2026