The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval forces announced on Sunday, September 27, 2026, the seizure of a second unmanned naval submarine belonging to the United States military in the Strait of Hormuz, declaring the vital shipping lane closed amid soaring regional tensions.
The seizure marks the second reported capture of an unmanned American underwater drone in the strategic waterway. According to statements reported by state media, including the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) and Fars News Agency, the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps used a coordinated and complex operation based on intelligence monitoring and electronic warfare techniques to intercept the vehicle. Iranian officials identified the captured vessel as a “Remus 600,” which is one of the smart and advanced vehicles operating beneath the water’s surface. Military specialists within the force are currently examining the drone to extract information and data from it.
Strait of Hormuz Closure and Diverging Maritime Claims
Alongside the drone capture, the Revolutionary Guard issued a declaration stating that the Strait of Hormuz is closed. The naval command warned that it would take forceful and uninterrupted action to confront dangerous movements and unauthorized transit through unapproved pathways in the passage. This position stands in direct opposition to Washington’s public accounts of ongoing commercial traffic.
A political affairs official within the Revolutionary Guard rejected the American narrative regarding the continued passage of ships and oil tankers, confirming that this contradicts the living reality and that the initiative and actual control of the strait remain solely in the hands of Iranian forces. On the other side of the maritime security debate, Armed Forces Spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi warned Washington that any attempt to control the Strait of Hormuz or impose its will on it will be met with severe Iranian strikes.
Diplomatic Proposals and Washington’s Response
The maritime escalation unfolds alongside active diplomatic maneuvers. On Friday at United Nations headquarters in New York, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters that Iran had conveyed to the United States, via Qatar, a “concrete” plan under which the strait could be reopened within seven days if necessary conditions are met. Araghchi stated that the seven-day deadline would begin once Washington agrees to it.
U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the proposal on Saturday at the White House, confirming that he had rejected a conditional proposal presented by Iran regarding the reopening of the strait.
They want to reach an agreement, and I think that’s good. And I also like to reach an agreement, but this agreement will not be acceptable
Donald Trump, U.S. President
President Trump added that We have full control over the Strait of Hormuz. Vast amounts of oil exit through the Strait of Hormuz. Last night, 29 ships exited
, noting that massive quantities of oil continue to exit through the waterway.
Military Warnings Across Iranian Command Structures
High-ranking military figures reinforced the hardline stance through a series of public warnings directed at neighboring states and Washington. Iranian Army Commander Amir Hatemi stated that “The war has not ended,” calling for readiness “to create an environment for delivering strong strikes to the enemy.” Hatemi cautioned regional countries by stating: “If a state of insecurity is to prevail in the region, this state will include everyone.” He added: “All neighboring and regional countries should take into account that cooperation with the United States does not bring security,” and further stated: “Security in the region will only be achieved by removing the United States and the Zionist entity from it, and this is not far.”
Meanwhile, Iranian Army Spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia stated that the United States might carry out a military assault because its conditions in the region are poor. Separately, the secretariat of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council issued a statement denying that Iran would take a military retaliatory action in response to recent flight restrictions in the country, as reported by the Tasnim News Agency.
