U.S. downplays Iran's seizure of unmanned sub in Hormuz Strait

The U.S. military said on Tuesday that an unmanned undersea vehicle Iran said it captured in the Strait of Hormuz was defective and did not contain sensitive data or classified equipment. U.S. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins said the underwater drone had malfunctioned more than a day earlier while surveying regional waters in support of ongoing operations. He said U.S. operations in the area were continuing. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had earlier said it seized one of the most advanced U.S. unmanned submarines near the entrance to the strait, and Iranian media later published images and video said to show the vessel. The U.S. said the craft was an older model and was not carrying classified sonar or radar systems. The episode came three days after the U.S. and Iran exchanged new attacks in the Persian Gulf, adding to rising tensions in the region as Washington continues to pressure Tehran economically.