Iran Claims It Shot Down a US MQ-9 Drone Over the Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Tuesday that its forces intercepted and destroyed an American MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz, in what would be a fresh escalation in the months-long US-Iran war. According to Iran's state media, the drone was brought down early on Tuesday by a new, advanced air defence system operated by the IRGC's Aerospace Force as part of the country's integrated air defence network.
Iranian outlets put the tally even higher, claiming the aircraft was the 54th US MQ-9 Tehran says it has destroyed since Washington and its allies began military operations against Iran in late February. Less than a month ago, Iran made a similar claim about downing a US MQ-1 Predator and an advanced Orbiter reconnaissance drone over the same waterway. The US Central Command has not yet commented on Tuesday's claim, and no independent verification was immediately available.
The strait — through which a large share of the world's oil passes — has been effectively closed to most commercial traffic for more than three months, with Brent crude hovering near $109 a barrel. Iran has also threatened to strike seven undersea internet cables running under the waterway, warning of "new targets" if Washington hits Iranian bases again.
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