IRGC downs another advanced MQ-1 drone over Strait of Hormuz

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says it has intercepted and destroyed another advanced MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC Public Relations Office said in a statement on Monday that the drone was detected and engaged by an advanced air-defense system operated by the IRGC Aerospace Force.

According to the statement, the operation was carried out under the control of Iran’s integrated air-defense network.

“The advanced MQ-1 drone was intercepted and destroyed over the skies of the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement said.

Last week, the Iranian Army air defense also shot down a US MQ-1 drone over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. In a statement, the Army said its air defense forces detected, tracked, and targeted the drone in southeastern Iran before striking and destroying it.

IRGC warns of more ‘unique’ surprises if enemy continues aggression

General Sharif hailed the recent capture of an unmanned US underwater intruder as a tangible example of Iran’s technological innovation and active deterrent power.

The Strait of Hormuz has increasingly become a key arena in the US war on Iran, prompting Tehran to assert greater control over maritime activity in and around the strait.

Over the past decade, Iranian forces have successfully downed or captured numerous high-value US assets, including the RQ-170 Sentinel stealth drone, MQ-9 Reaper drones, and various underwater gliders and surface vessels in the Persian Gulf.

Reverse-engineering these captured technologies has historically played a significant role in accelerating Iran’s domestic drone and unmanned naval programs.

According to Bloomberg, Iran has destroyed over two dozen MQ-9s since the start of the terrorist US-Israeli war—nearly 20 percent of the Pentagon’s pre-war inventory. At $30 million per airframe, the total damage is estimated at approximately $1 billion.

The Air Force’s operational Reaper fleet has fallen to roughly 135 aircraft, well below its own minimum floor of 189, according to congressional testimony cited by Bloomberg and The War Zone.

General Atomics, the manufacturer, has confirmed that fewer than 10 new airframes remain available for purchase, and the production line for the MQ-9A has been shut down.

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