Key development: Iran claims it seized a US underwater drone in the Strait of Hormuz, and a top commander says the war is now in a “critical and decisive stage” — the US military says the seizure never happened.
Military Operations
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say they seized a US underwater drone in the Strait of Hormuz — the US military says the seizure never happened. A top Iranian commander adds that the war is now in a “critical and decisive stage,” making this as much about propaganda as hardware. (euronews, mee)
Context: Iran says the vehicle is a REMUS 600 and has been handed to military experts to retrieve its data. US Central Command flatly denies the capture. This would be the second such claimed seizure, and it’s part of a fight over who controls the strait narrative while the war grinds on.
Sources: euronews | Middle East Eye
Inside Iran
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran’s late supreme leader, was reportedly injured before the war and pulled from the rubble of a Tehran hospital after a strike. If true, that’s a direct hit on Iran’s leadership circle — but the claim comes from a single Israeli outlet, so it should be treated with caution. [UNCONFIRMED] (jpost)
Context: The report says Mojtaba was hurt before the war began and later rescued from a hospital in Tehran after it was struck. Separately, a senior ayatollah denied that the late Ali Khamenei had recommended his son as successor — a sign succession questions are churning as the war pressures the regime.
Sources: Jerusalem Post
Israel Policy
Israel showcased its new Drakon submarine, whose commander says it lets the IDF “get to any enemy, anywhere.” That’s a warning to Iran that Israel can reach it from underwater, not just with airstrikes. [UNCONFIRMED] (jpost)
Context: The Jerusalem Post toured the INS Drakon at sea near Haifa. A boat like this gives Israel a long-range, hard-to-spot option for missions deep in the region — including Iran and Yemen — while the war is ongoing.
Sources: Jerusalem Post
Regional Actors
(Update) Iraq says it is seeking a US exemption from sanctions on Iranian airlines. Baghdad is trying to preserve its air links with Tehran while the US-Israel campaign against Iran continues. (mee)
Context: The Iraqi government announced it is in talks with the US over the exemption. With Iranian carriers hit by sanctions, Iraq stands to lose a major chunk of trade and travel, so this is Baghdad testing how much flexibility Washington will give it.
Sources: Middle East Eye
What to watch: Whether the Hormuz drone standoff turns into a real confrontation — and whether more reports surface about Israel targeting Iran’s leadership.