Iran’s IRGC Claims It Shot Down 14th U.S. MQ-1 Drone Near Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Thursday that its air defenses had intercepted and destroyed a 14th MQ-1 drone east of the Strait of Hormuz. The claim has not been independently verified.

The IRGC said the drone was shot down in airspace opposite Sirik, a coastal area in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province, according to a statement carried by Iranian state media.

No confirmation from the U.S. military had been reported at the time of publication.

IRGC Cites New Air Defense System

The IRGC’s public relations office said the aircraft was destroyed by a new advanced air defense system operated by its Aerospace Force, under Iran’s integrated national air defense network.

“The 14th advanced MQ1 drone was intercepted and destroyed” in the sky east of the Strait of Hormuz, opposite Sirik, the statement said, as carried by IRNA.

Tasnim and Mehr described the aircraft as American. The statement as quoted by IRNA did not name the operator, and Iran gave no evidence of the shootdown, such as wreckage or video.

The IRGC also said its forces have destroyed 14 MQ-1 and 54 MQ-9 drones since the war began on February 28, according to Euronews Persian. Those figures are Iranian claims.

Iran Claims Repeated U.S. Drone Losses

The claim follows a string of similar IRGC announcements over the Strait of Hormuz since late August.

Iran’s army also said last month that it shot down a U.S. MQ-1 over the strait. On September 21, the IRGC published video of what it said was the moment another MQ-1 was destroyed.

The MQ-1 designation covers two different aircraft. The U.S. Air Force retired the MQ-1 Predator on March 9, 2018. The U.S. Army still operates the MQ-1C Gray Eagle, a larger derivative of the Predator.

In September, the IRGC claimed the drone it downed was a U.S. Army MQ-1 of a type it said had been retired and returned to service after heavy MQ-9 losses, according to Anadolu. Army Recognition, citing CBS News, reported that U.S. officials confirmed at least two MQ-1 losses to Iran that month without naming the variant. Iran’s claim that retired Predators were back in service has not been established.

Drone losses are part of a growing U.S. bill for the war. The Pentagon has put total costs at $47.1 billion, including $6.1 billion for aircraft, drones and other equipment lost.

Strait of Hormuz Remains a Flashpoint

The Strait of Hormuz has been at the center of the conflict since the United States and Israel began striking Iran on February 28. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively closed the waterway to most shipping.

The strait has repeatedly seen exchanges of fire between U.S. and Iranian forces. An IRGC Navy commander said in February that the passage is under its constant control.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Washington has told several Gulf states to prepare for a “short, intense military campaign” against Iran after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections. President Donald Trump has not made a final decision, the report said.

Separately on Thursday, the IRGC said it had forced down an American MQM-170 drone intact west of the strait through electronic warfare, according to Euronews Persian. The U.S. Central Command had not responded to either claim.