In a first, US employs one-way sea drones to attack Iran port

Last month, the US military used a Corsair drone to assist with the rescue of two US Army aviators whose Apache attack helicopter was shot down by Iran.

The Corsair is made by Texas-based Saronic Technologies, which says the 24-foot, diesel-powered “autonomous surface vessel” can be launched at sea, allowing larger ships to deploy and retrieve it without returning to port.

Maritime blockade on Iran

Meanwhile, the US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said on Monday that it will begin enforcing a maritime blockade on Iran on Tuesday.

The blockade, covering all of Iran’s ports, oil terminals and coastal areas, will be enforced for all vessel traffic — regardless of flag — from 2000 GMT on July 14, the center said in a warning.

“Any vessel suspected of entering or departing the blockaded area without authorization is subject to interception, diversion, and capture. Non-compliant vessels may be legally compelled with force,” the statement said.

The centre said neutral transit through the Strait of Hormuz heading to or from non-Iranian destinations will not be impeded.