Iran shoots down MQ-9 drone in Hormuz strait

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed to have shot down a US military drone over the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency.

The report said IRGC forces intercepted and destroyed an MQ-9 drone flying over the strategic waterway early Tuesday. The drone is widely used for intelligence, surveillance and precision strikes.

The United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28. In response, Tehran carried out missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. Washington later imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

In June, the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on freedom of navigation through the strait. However, disagreements over the security of the strategic waterway stalled its implementation.

Citing the IRGC, Fars News reported that Iranian forces have destroyed a total of 54 US military drones since the war began on February 28.

Source: Anadolu Agency

-AJM