01:30The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy claims the U.S. underwater drone was seized
01:36at the entrance to the strategic waterway during what Iranian officials described as
01:41a complex intelligence and operational mission at dawn on September 8th.
01:46Iranian state media identified the vehicle as an Endural Dive LD, a large autonomous underwater
01:54vehicle designed for missions ranging from surveillance and seabed mapping to mine warfare.
02:00The footage released by Iran appears to show the vehicle intact and being lifted from the
02:06water.
02:07The markings on the hull appear to be consistent with the Dive LD, although some of the lettering
02:13is worn and independent verification of the exact circumstances of the recovery remains
02:18limited.
02:18The capture claim comes as tensions remain extremely high around the Strait of Hormuz,
02:25one of the world's most important energy choke points.
02:28But Washington is pushing back against the Iranian portrayal of the incident.
02:32A Pentagon and CENTCOM spokesperson said an underwater drone had malfunctioned more than a day earlier
02:40while surveying regional waters in support of ongoing operations.
02:45U.S. officials described the vehicle as an older model and said it did not collect sensitive
02:50information and was not carrying classified sonar or radar equipment.
02:56Andurl has also confirmed the loss of a Dive LD in the region.
03:00The company describes the system as an attritable autonomous platform, meaning it is specifically
03:06designed to operate in dangerous environments where the loss of the vehicle is considered
03:11an acceptable operational risk.
03:14So what exactly is the Dive LD?
03:17The autonomous underwater vehicle is roughly 5.8 meters long and around 1.2 meters in diameter.
03:25It can reportedly operate autonomously for up to around 10 days and has a maximum depth
03:30capability of approximately 6,000 meters, depending on configuration.
03:35Its modular design allows different payloads to be installed for missions including intelligence,
03:42surveillance and recon, seabed surveys, mine countermeasures, hydrographic operations,
03:48and underwater infrastructure inspection.
03:50The system was developed by Dive Technologies, which Andurl acquired in 2022.
03:57The U.S. Navy received its first Dive LD systems in 2025.
04:03And that makes the Aramian footage significant, even if the United States insists this particular
04:09vehicle did not contain sensitive technology.
04:12An intact underwater drone can potentially provide an adversary with an opportunity to examine
04:18its physical design, propulsion system, sensors, communications architecture, and other components.
04:25Iran has previously attempted to seize American unmanned systems operating in the region, including
04:32U.S. unmanned surface vessels.
04:34However, one major question remains unanswered.
04:37Was the Dive LD actually captured by Iranian forces, as Tehran claims, or was it simply recovered
04:45after suffering a malfunction?
04:47At this stage, the exact circumstances remain disputed.
04:51What is clear is that Iran now possesses, or at least claims to possess, an American autonomous
04:57underwater vehicle, and it has released images and video to prove it.
05:02With the Strait of Hormuz already at the center of escalating military tensions, the recovery
05:08of an American UUV could add another dangerous layer to the confrontation beneath the surface.
05:14And further Iranian footage or technical details could reveal just how much information this
05:21particular vehicle may have carried.
05:23This is a developing story, and the details surrounding the Dive LD's mission, payload, and recovery
05:30are likely to become clearer as Washington and Tehran provide more information.
