Iran downs US drone over Strait of Hormuz
09:39, 20/10/2026, TuesdayU: Update: 10:21, 20/10/2026, Tuesday
AA
File photo
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Tuesday that it intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-9 drone over the Strait of Hormuz, bringing to 54 the number of American unmanned aircraft it claims to have downed since the US-Israeli war against Tehran began in late February.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on Tuesday that its forces had intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-9 drone over the Strait of Hormuz, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. The Revolutionary Guard said the aircraft was downed early Tuesday while flying over the strategic waterway.
It claimed that the downed aircraft was the 54th US MQ-9 drone it had destroyed since Washington and its allies began military operations against Tehran in late February.
Maritime blockade
The US and Israel launched military action against Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to respond with missile and drone attacks across the region and to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic. Washington later imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, cutting off maritime access to the Islamic Republic.
Diplomatic impasse
The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding in June concerning freedom of navigation in the strait, though implementation has stalled over security disagreements. The waterway remains closed to most commercial vessels more than three months into the war.