Pentagon accuses Iran of trying to steal naval spy drone

The US military says it thwarted an attempt by the IRGC to seize a Saildrone unmanned surface vessel The US military says it has attacked two boats that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly used in an attempt to seize an American drone.Iranian media previously reported that several fishermen were missing following a US attack off the coast of the southern port city of Kargan and near Larak Island.Axios first reported the Pentagon’s account of the incident on Tuesday. US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins confirmed the attempted seizure to the outlet and several others, saying the targeted unmanned surface vessel “remains under US operational control.”The Associated Press said Hawkins identified the platform as an 8-meter Saildrone. California-based Saildrone produces several models of autonomous craft featuring a distinctive sail-like structure that carries solar panels and instruments, including a 7-meter model known as the Explorer. The US Navy has used Saildrone products for intelligence gathering in the Middle East since at least 2021 and accused Iran of “stealing” some of the drones in 2022.Earlier this month, the IRGC reported destro...