Iran said on Friday its navy captured two U.S. maritime drones in the Red Sea and then jettisoned as U.S. warships approached..

For his part, Commander Timothy Hawkins, a spokesman for the US 5th Fleet, based in the Middle East, acknowledged the incident on Friday in an interview with the Associated Press, but declined to comment on the details..

Iranian state television showed footage allegedly taken from the deck of the Iranian Navy's Jamaran destroyer, where sailors in life jackets inspected two Saildrone Explorers.. One of them was thrown overboard.

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State TV of Tehran also reported that "

U.S. Navy 5th Fleet, based in the Middle East, has identified captured drones as Saildrone Explorers. These drones are commercial and are being used by various clients, including scientists, to monitor open waters..