Iran downs MQ-9 drone east of Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Monday it shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone east of the strategic Strait of Hormuz using a new advanced air defense system, as tensions continued to escalate between Tehran and Washington.

Drone interception

The IRGC said in a statement that the operation was carried out "under the control of the country's integrated air defense network." "Minutes ago, an MQ-9 drone was detected and destroyed by fire from a new advanced air defense system of the IRGC Aerospace Force," it said. The elite force noted that the incident occurred east of the strategic waterway amid heightened regional tensions.

Retaliatory strikes

The IRGC also launched ballistic missiles against the King Hussein and Azraq airbases in Jordan while targeting Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates with explosive drones, according to the statement. The force said the operations were conducted in retaliation for a US strike on Larak Island on Sunday, which Washington reportedly aimed at preventing the placement of sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments. Tehran said it would defend its territorial integrity against further aggression.

Earlier on Monday, the IRGC reported shooting down a separate American drone over the Strait of Hormuz, causing it to crash into Gulf waters. The Sunday US attack on Larak Island marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, which has seen repeated clashes around the vital oil transit route since late February. Washington has not immediately commented on the latest Iranian claims.