US Military Employs Drone Ships in Historic Strike on Iranian Facility
Historic Drone Strike by US Military
In a groundbreaking operation, the US military announced the deployment of drone ships to target an Iranian submarine maintenance facility. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) released footage showing drone boats approaching a dock where a submarine was stationed, followed by aerial visuals of the subsequent explosion. "Yesterday, multiple one-way attack surface drones successfully struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran," CENTCOM shared on X (formerly Twitter). The command noted that three Corsair unmanned surface vessels targeted the Bandar Abbas Naval Base, marking a significant first for American forces utilizing sea drones in combat. This operation was aimed at diminishing Iran's capacity to threaten commercial shipping, as stated by CENTCOM on social media.
Yesterday, using multiple one-way attack surface drones, CENTCOM forces successfully struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran. Three Corsair unmanned surface vessels hit the port at Bandar Abbas Naval Base, marking the first time American forces have employed sea… pic.twitter.com/bOM2kmgRxz
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 13, 2026
The Corsair drones were also instrumental in rescuing two Army aviators off the coast of Oman earlier in June after their Apache helicopter was downed by an Iranian drone. This strike occurs despite previous assertions from the Trump administration that Iran's naval capabilities had been entirely dismantled.
Trump's Naval Blockade Announcement
Trump Reinstates Naval Blockade on Iran, Demands 20% Fee
On Monday, Trump declared the reinstatement of what he termed the "Iranian blockade," asserting that the Strait of Hormuz would remain accessible regardless of Iran's actions. In a post on Truth Social, he clarified that this measure would specifically target Iranian vessels while allowing other nations to freely navigate the crucial waterway. "The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran. We are reinstating THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, which only affects Iran's ships or customers. All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait," Trump stated on his social media platform. He further proclaimed that the United States would act as the "Guardian of the Hormuz Strait" and suggested a 20% fee on cargo passing through the route to offset security costs in the region.