TAMPA, Fla. — The United States military has announced that it employed one-way attack sea drones in combat for the first time, targeting an Iranian naval facility at Bandar Abbas as part of its latest operations in the escalating confrontation with Iran.
According to a statement posted by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on X, three unmanned Corsair surface drones struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility at Iran’s Bandar Abbas Naval Base. CENTCOM said the operation marked the first combat use of attack sea drones by American forces.
CENTCOM stated that the strike was intended to degrade Iran’s ability to continue attacks against commercial shipping transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors. The military said the operation formed part of a broader campaign targeting Iranian military infrastructure, including air defense systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone capabilities, and small naval vessels.
Bandar Abbas, located on Iran’s southern coast along the Strait of Hormuz, serves as one of the country’s principal naval bases and is home to facilities supporting both surface vessels and submarines. Military analysts consider the base a key component of Iran’s maritime operations in the Persian Gulf.
The introduction of unmanned surface vessels into offensive combat operations represents a significant development in modern naval warfare. The Corsair platform, developed by U.S.-based defense technology company Saronic, had previously been employed in non-combat missions, including a rescue operation involving downed U.S. Army helicopter personnel earlier this year.
The latest strike comes amid intensifying military exchanges between Washington and Tehran over security in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States has repeatedly stated that it will act to preserve freedom of navigation through the waterway. At the same time, Iran has maintained that it can disrupt maritime traffic in response to military pressure.
Iranian authorities had not immediately issued a detailed public response to the reported strike at the time of publication. The latest developments are expected to heighten concerns over regional security and global energy markets, as the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical route for international oil and gas shipments.