30.08.2022 20:04
News Source: UAV
The US Navy Central Command 5th Fleet announced that a support ship of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Navy (IRGCN) blocked an attempt to seize an unmanned surface ship operated by the US 5th Fleet in the Persian Gulf. In the statement made by the US 5th Fleet, it was stated that the support ship of the IRGCN named Shahid Baziar, which passed through international waters at around 23:00 local time on August 29, was observed while trying to tow the unmanned surface ship (USV) named Saildrone Explorer.
In the statement, it was stated that the USS Thunderbolt (PC 12) coastal patrol ship belonging to the US Navy was located near the incident and immediately intervened in the seizing action, while it was reported that the US 5th Fleet launched an MH-60S Sea Falcon from the Bahrain-based Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron. While the US Navy stated that the measures taken in response resulted in the IRGCN’s disconnection from the unmanned ship and leaving the area after about 4 hours, the US Navy reportedly continued its operations without any further incidents.
“IRGCN’s actions were blatant, unwarranted and inconsistent with the behavior of a professional navy. The US Navy is vigilant and rules-based throughout the region,” said Brad Cooper, Deputy Admiral of the US Naval Central Command, US 5th Fleet and Joint Navy. “It will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law permits, while promoting international order.”
The U.S. Navy Command said in a statement that the unmanned surface ship, the Saildrone Explorer, which the IRGCN is trying to capture, is the property of the U.S. government and is equipped with sensors, radars and cameras for navigation, data collection.