US Navy says Iran seized, later let go of American sea drone

By JON GAMBRELL
Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. Navy says Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard seized and later let go of a U.S. sea drone in the Persian Gulf. A spokesman of the Mideast-based 5th Fleet said a Revolutionary Guard ship intercepted a Saildrone Explorer and was towing the drone behind it as a U.S. Navy ship and helicopter approached. Cmdr. Timothy Hawkins told The Associated Press the Navy called repeatedly to the Iranians, who ultimately let the drone go. A semiofficial Iranian news agency alleged the drone posed a danger to international shipping and described the American account as an untruthful “Hollywood narrative.” The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Iran over Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal with world powers.