U.S. Central Command deployed three unmanned surface vessels to strike the Iranian naval base at Bandar Abbas on Monday [1], [2].
This operation marks a significant shift in naval warfare, introducing autonomous surface combatants into active conflict to challenge Iranian influence in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM confirmed the use of three Corsair sea drones during the mission [1]. The military released footage on July 13, 2026, showing the vessels striking the port [2], [3]. This deployment represents a new tactical capability for the U.S. Navy in the region.
"For the first time, we have employed unmanned surface vessels in combat operations," a CENTCOM spokesperson said in a statement released on July 13, 2026 [1].
The strike is part of a broader U.S. response to escalating tensions with Iran [4]. U.S. officials said the operation was intended to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz following recent Iranian attacks [3].
Reports on the specific methods of the attack vary. While CENTCOM and other sources highlighted the use of sea drones [1], [2], other reports indicated that U.S. aircraft carried out strikes on naval facilities during a three-night operation [4].
The Independent described the use of the Corsair vessels as a "first-of-its-kind" application of drone boats in a combat environment [2]. The use of these unmanned systems allows the U.S. to project power while minimizing the risk to crewed vessels in contested waters.
“"For the first time, we have employed unmanned surface vessels in combat operations,"”
The transition from aerial drones to unmanned surface vessels in combat signals a diversification of U.S. strike capabilities. By utilizing the Corsair drones, the U.S. can engage high-value naval targets in the Strait of Hormuz with higher precision and lower risk to personnel, potentially altering the deterrence calculus between Washington and Tehran.
