Dubai: The strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for the world's energy supplies where American sailors frequently have tense encounters with Iranian forces, was traversed by the US Navy's first drone boat on Wednesday.

According to Navy spokesman Cmdr. Timothy Hawkins, the 13-meter speedboat L3 Harris Arabian Fox MAST-13's trip attracted the attention of Iran's Revolutionary Guard but went off without a hitch. The USCGC Charles Moulthrope and USCGC John Scheuerman, two US Coast Guard cutters, escorted the drone.

The strait, a busy waterway between Iran and Oman that is only 33 kilometres wide at its narrowest point, was safely navigated by the drone and the accompanying ships during the trip. The strait that connects the two continents sees a fifth of all oil traded.

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According to international law, the Iranians saw the unmanned service ship cross the strait, according to Hawkins. He claimed that the MAST-13 drone was observed by an Iranian drone and at least one Houdong-class fast-attack vessel used by Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

To maintain open waterways for international trade and to defend American interests and allies, the US Navy's 5th Fleet, based in Bahrain, patrols the waters of the Middle East, particularly the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, on the other hand, considers the Navy's presence offensive and likens it to its own forces conducting patrols in the Gulf of Mexico.

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The drone mission was not acknowledged by Iranian state media. An inquiry for comment was not immediately answered by the Iranian mission to the UN.

In order to have a fleet of about 100 unmanned drones, both sailing and submersible, operating in the area with America's allies, the 5th Fleet established a special drone task force last year.

In late August and early September, Iran briefly took possession of a number of American drones being tested in the area, but there hasn't been another incident like that since.

The MAST-13 is currently operating in the Gulf of Oman, where a maritime shadow war has been raging as Iranian forces have taken control of oil tankers and suspicious explosions have hit nearby vessels, including those connected to Israeli and Western companies. Despite evidence from the West to the contrary, Iran has denied involvement in the explosions.

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According to Hawkins, the MAST-13's video feeds can send images back to land and to ships at sea, enabling sailors to see ships before they approach. That can be useful, especially given that the Navy and Western allies have seized more weapons that they believe were being shipped from Iran to Yemen.

We can better monitor what is happening because it puts more eyes on the water, according to Hawkins.