Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its navy targeted a US unmanned surface vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, as shipping traffic through the strategic waterway fell to single digits.
The IRGC said the vessel was a Saildrone Explorer-type unmanned surface vessel used by the US Fifth Fleet, which is based in Bahrain. Washington has previously used Saildrone Explorer systems to gather data and imagery in the Gulf.
The claim came a day after Iran said it had captured an unmanned US submarine drone, while the US military said one of its underwater drones had malfunctioned.
The latest confrontation comes as commercial traffic through Hormuz remains sharply constrained. The number of vessels transiting the strait fell to seven on Thursday from 11 the previous day, well below the 10-day average of 15, according to Reuters.
Preliminary ship-tracking data showed two of the seven vessels exited the strait and five entered on Friday. The figures exclude vessels that may have crossed with their Automatic Identification System transponders switched off.
Gulf states seek Iran deal to ease Hormuz pressure
Gulf foreign ministers are expected to meet their Iranian counterpart in Oman in a push to secure agreement on temporarily managing commercial shipping through Hormuz.
The meeting, an Omani initiative, would be the first gathering involving the six Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers and a senior Iranian official since the US and Israel launched their war against Iran in February.
Iran and Oman have been working on a temporary arrangement under which vessels would enter the strait through Iranian waters and exit mainly through Omani territory. Diplomats caution that a full reopening would require an agreement between Washington and Tehran.
The talks come as Gulf states seek to protect energy and trade flows after Iranian missile and drone attacks on regional neighbours. Oman has spent weeks negotiating with Tehran on a temporary commercial shipping corridor through the waterway.
Trump says he has no regrets over Iran war
US President Donald Trump said he did not regret going to war with Iran despite the conflict’s potential impact on November’s US midterm elections.
In an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, Trump said that if he had to make the decision again, he would do exactly as he did. He also said he expected the war to end immediately after the midterm elections.
Trump said he did not believe in the word “regret” and rejected suggestions that the conflict had demoralised his supporters, saying they were proud that he was preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance has sought direct assessments from military commanders about the war, including Iran’s capabilities, the impact on US weapons stocks and the risks to shipping through Hormuz. The New York Times report said commanders were particularly concerned about depleted stocks of Patriot interceptors.
Iran’s attacks have also caused material damage to US aircraft at Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, according to a US official cited by Reuters. One A-10 was left with a missing wing and about eight F-15s sustained light damage, the official said.
The Trump administration is also preparing new economic pressure on Tehran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US would sanction a large bank on Monday, without identifying the institution or its country.
