The one-way effector (OWE) kamikaze drones used by American forces in the latest round of strikes against Iran were Saronic Corsair uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released more details of the weekend attacks, having disclosed yesterday (Monday) that it had deployed what it had termed “one-way attack sea drones” in its most recent wave of attacks.
It released video footage of the assault, which shows three Saronic Corsair USVs converging on what appears to have been a Ghadir-class midget submarine out of the water at Bandar Abbas Naval Base.
The clip is a mix of feeds from the on board one of the drone boats, and from overhead reconnaissance of the operation.
The footage shows three Corsair USVs making a beeline for the pier upon which the mini-submarine is berthed from different directions, followed by three separate explosions as the USVs’ payloads are detonated.
Monday’s CENTCOM statement read: “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 drones in combat operations. Last night’s strikes degraded Iran’s ability to continue attacking commercial shipping.”
The disclosure came after the U.S. conducted a third consecutive night of strikes against Iran; two tankers have also come under fire in the Strait of Hormuz.
- U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. Navy would reinstate its blockade of Iranian shipping in the Gulf from 4pm ET (11am BST) today (Tuesday).
- Trump asserted that the strait would stay open “with or without Iran” but revealed new plans for the U.S. to start levying “20% fees” on ships transiting the waterway to offset security costs.
This runs counter to previously held policy positions both in the U.S. and the wider Western world that toll-free freedom of navigation should universally apply. After the commencement of Operation Epic Fury Iran had previously indicated plans to charge fees for commercial shipping using the strait.
A 60-day U.S.-Iranian memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in mid-June extending a ceasefire has come under increasing strain in the past week. It sought to restore trade through the Strait of Hormuz and enable talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme and sanctions relief, the main points of difference between the two sides.
- You can read more details about the latest U.S. strikes on CENTCOM’s X feed
