According to a report by Anadolu Agency on Monday, July 13, 2026, the United States military has announced that it used unmanned surface vessels, commonly known as sea drones, in combat for the first time, targeting an Iranian naval facility in a major escalation of the ongoing confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
In a statement released on Monday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces carried out precision strikes on a submarine and ship maintenance facility at Iran’s Bandar Abbas Naval Base using multiple one-way attack surface drones.
According to CENTCOM, three Corsair unmanned surface vessels successfully struck the naval installation, marking the first operational use of sea drones by the US military in an active combat mission.
“Yesterday, using multiple one-way attack surface drones, CENTCOM forces successfully struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran,” the command said in a post on X.
It added that the operation was designed to weaken Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Gulf.
“Last night’s strikes degraded Iran’s ability to continue attacking commercial shipping,” CENTCOM stated while releasing video footage that it said showed the attack on the naval base.
The targeted facility is located at Bandar Abbas, Iran’s principal naval base on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. A significant portion of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports passes through the narrow shipping route, making any military activity in the area a source of concern for international energy markets.
The Corsair unmanned surface vessels used in the operation are designed to carry out long-range precision attacks without placing American personnel directly in harm’s way.
The latest operation forms part of a broader US campaign targeting Iranian military infrastructure. CENTCOM said additional strikes were conducted against Iranian air defence systems, coastal radar installations, missile and drone capabilities, and small attack boats operating near the Strait of Hormuz. The command said the objective was to reduce threats to international shipping and maintain freedom of navigation in the region.
The attack comes amid rapidly rising tensions between the United States and Iran following a series of military exchanges across the Gulf. In recent days, both countries have traded accusations over attacks on military assets and commercial vessels, while diplomatic efforts by regional mediators have so far failed to produce a breakthrough.
Iran has repeatedly condemned US military operations near its territorial waters and insists it retains sovereignty over its coastal infrastructure and the waters surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has warned that it will respond to any further attacks on its military facilities, raising concerns that the conflict could widen further.
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