The United States used one-way attack sea drones in combat for the first time to strike the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, the US military has said.

Three US Corsair drones targeted "a submarine and ship maintenance facility" at the port on Sunday, marking "the first time American forces have employed sea drones in combat operations," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on X on Monday.

The strikes — which highlight the growing role of drones in US combat operations — "degraded Iran's ability to continue attacking commercial shipping," CENTCOM said.

The military command's post included a video of sea drones exploding near two piers, sparking fires and sending smoke pouring into the air over the 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.