FACT CHECK: Did The US Sink An Iranian Spy Ship?

A post shared on X claims that the United States sunk an Iranian spy ship.

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The Saudi Al-Hadath reports that Iran’s “Zagros” reconnaissance (SIGINT) ship, the most advanced spying vessel in Iran’s navy was targeted and sunk in the Red Sea by the United States.

This ship was originally designed to counter Israeli threats on IRGC nuclear facilities. pic.twitter.com/vKpJiPxNf1

— Voice From The East (@EasternVoices) March 18, 2025

Verdict: False

There is no evidence that the Zagros was sunk. Recent reporting shows that the ship is still in Iran.

Fact Check:

The U.S. has struck Yemeni strongholds where Houthi leaders are hiding, according to Reuters. The Houthis are backed by Iran, per the outlet.

Social media users are claiming that the U.S. sunk the Zagros spy ship. One user wrote, “The Saudi Al-Hadath reports that Iran’s ‘Zagros’ reconnaissance (SIGINT) ship, the most advanced spying vessel in Iran’s navy was targeted and sunk in the Red Sea by the United States. This ship was originally designed to counter Israeli threats on IRGC nuclear facilities.”

This claim is false. No credible media outlets have reported that the Zagros was sunk. A wider internet search also did not yield any results for this claim.

Washington Examiner defense reporter Mike Brest tweeted that a U.S. official told him that the ship was still in Iranian waters. Chris Biggers, a GEOINT consultant, posted satellite imagery of the ship still in port in Iran.

BBC Verify reporter Shayan Sardarizadeh also debunked the claim. (RELATED: Claim That Pam Bondi Has Petitioned The Courts To Vacate Anthony Fauci’s Pardon Is Satire)

Viral claims that the US has attacked and sunk Iran’s modern spy ship Zagros in the Red Sea are baseless and false.

Zagros is currently in port in Iranian waters and has not even been sailing in the Red Sea in recent days. pic.twitter.com/SxLJc5IVe3

— Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) March 18, 2025

“Viral claims that the US has attacked and sunk Iran’s modern spy ship Zagros in the Red Sea are baseless and false. Zagros is currently in port in Iranian waters and has not even been sailing in the Red Sea in recent days,” Sardarizadeh tweeted.