(STRAIT OF HORMUZ) – Iran has claimed the capture of a state of the art unmanned American submersible at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces described the operation as a complex intelligence action.
The United States has not yet responded to the claim. It is thought the vehicle is similar to a craft previously pictured by the US Department of Defense.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said in a statement that its forces captured one of the most modern, smart, unmanned underwater vehicles belonging to the US military. The statement said the seizure took place at the entrance to the strait.
The vehicle is reportedly capable of seabed mapping, detecting mines, intelligence gathering, and checking on pipes and underwater cables. Reports suggest the US has been using such vehicles to detect mines laid by Iran to prevent shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has promised to publish pictures of the captured vehicle but has not yet done so.
Control of the strait has become a key factor in the conflict. Iran has blocked access for most shipping since the start of the war, whilst Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed America is in control of the key waterway.
Qatar says it is working with partners around the world, including China, to restart peace talks between the United States and Iran. Doha’s foreign ministry said it is working closely with regional and international partners to resume dialogue and efforts to end the war. However, internal divisions remain in Tehran, with some factions favouring negotiation and others calling for continued attacks on the US.
In Yemen, an escalation in fighting between the Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi-supported government forces has left hundreds dead and tens of thousands of people displaced. The Houthis claimed they launched a broad operation deep into Saudi territory, attacking four cities in the south of the country and leaving more than 70 people injured. Saudi authorities say operations at some energy facilities stopped because of drone and missile attacks. Fires were reported at multiple locations, including King Khaled Air Base, Abha International Airport, and sites belonging to state-owned oil giant Aramco.
Video released by the Iran-backed group on Monday shows smoke billowing from trucks they say they targeted on the Yemen-Saudi border. The Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out air strikes on Yemen, including a deadly bombardment of a prison on Monday that killed seven people.
Five days of heavy fighting between the rebels and Saudi-backed government forces near the Red Sea coast have left hundreds dead and forced more than 20,000 to flee their homes. Last week the Houthis launched a new offensive targeting areas around the Bab al-Mandab Strait after declaring a naval blockade in the Red Sea back in July.
The head of Dubai International Airport says he is “very confident” about the future, as passengers return to the hub despite continued uncertainty in the region. The airport, which was the world’s busiest for international passenger traffic before the war started in February, endured 16 missile strikes and 111 alerts. Paul Griffiths, the airport’s chief executive, said 78 percent of traffic is now back and the site is back to 84 percent of its total seat capacity. Traffic grew by 26 percent between July and June.
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