US Military Destroys Two Iranian Boats After Attempt to Seize Navy Drone

TAMPA, Sep 15: The US military destroyed two Iranian small boats on Monday after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attempted to seize a US Navy unmanned surface vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported, citing US officials.

A US official told Axios that an American unmanned vessel fired two missiles at the boats after US forces identified the attempt to take control of the naval drone.

“Iranian small boats recently attempted to take possession of a US unmanned surface vessel, but they were unsuccessful after CENTCOM forcefully responded,” US Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins told Axios.

“The surface drone remains under US operational control,” Hawkins said.

Iranian media earlier reported that two fishing boats were struck near Kargan and Larak Island in Hormozgan province. A provincial official said some fishermen were missing and that search-and-rescue operations were underway.

The incident came as the United States sought to increase protected commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported.