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Defence
Iran's IRGC Says It Captured Second US Mk‑18 Kingfish Drone in Strait of Hormuz
✍️ Times of India
🗓 28 Sep 2026, 06:13 AM
👁 14
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it seized a second US Mk‑18 Mod 2 Kingfish underwater drone in the Strait of Hormuz, heightening regional tensions.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement on Thursday claiming it had intercepted and seized a second United States Mk‑18 Mod 2 "Kingfish" underwater drone in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The seizure, according to the IRGC, took place within Iran's territorial waters after the drone was detected during a routine patrol.
The announcement follows a similar claim made by Tehran earlier this year when it said it had captured a U.S. unmanned underwater vehicle in the same waterway. Washington has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that its drones operate in international waters for surveillance and anti‑mine missions.
Analysts say the repeated incidents underscore the growing friction between Iran and the United States over navigation rights in the narrow strait, a chokepoint through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes. While the IRGC has warned of further actions if such incursions continue, both sides have so far avoided direct military confrontation.
The Mk‑18 Kingfish is a compact, torpedo‑sized drone designed for covert intelligence gathering and mine detection. Its deployment in the Persian Gulf reflects heightened U.S. interest in monitoring Iranian naval activities, a development that could influence diplomatic talks aimed at de‑escalating regional tensions.
The announcement follows a similar claim made by Tehran earlier this year when it said it had captured a U.S. unmanned underwater vehicle in the same waterway. Washington has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that its drones operate in international waters for surveillance and anti‑mine missions.
Analysts say the repeated incidents underscore the growing friction between Iran and the United States over navigation rights in the narrow strait, a chokepoint through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes. While the IRGC has warned of further actions if such incursions continue, both sides have so far avoided direct military confrontation.
The Mk‑18 Kingfish is a compact, torpedo‑sized drone designed for covert intelligence gathering and mine detection. Its deployment in the Persian Gulf reflects heightened U.S. interest in monitoring Iranian naval activities, a development that could influence diplomatic talks aimed at de‑escalating regional tensions.