A US Navy MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone disappeared over the Strait of Hormuz after declaring a general emergency. The drone, which had been conducting surveillance over the Persian Gulf, transmitted an emergency signal before it began a rapid descent and vanished from tracking screens. Valued at over $200 million, the Triton is designed for high-altitude, long-endurance maritime reconnaissance, capable of operating at altitudes above 50,000 feet for over 24 hours. The disappearance raises questions about whether it was due to mechanical failure or hostile action, especially as it occurred just 48 hours after the US and Iran agreed to a fragile ceasefire, allowing shipping traffic to resume through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. As of 2025, the US Navy operated 20 Triton drones, with plans to acquire more. The Pentagon has yet to release a statement regarding this incident.