Iran Claims It Shot Down Advanced US MQ-9 Reaper Drone Over Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that it successfully shot down a highly advanced and expensive MQ-9 Reaper drone belonging to the United States over the airspace of the Strait of Hormuz.

In an official statement, the IRGC said the unmanned aerial vehicle was destroyed by a precision strike from its Aerospace Force's advanced air defense system after allegedly entering Iranian airspace. Iranian authorities described the operation as a successful interception carried out by their modern air defense units.

Military analysts estimate that each MQ-9 Reaper drone costs the U.S. military approximately **$30 million**, making it one of the Pentagon's most sophisticated unmanned combat aircraft.

According to Pentagon records, the MQ-9 Reaper fleet has suffered a series of losses since the outbreak of hostilities involving the United States and Israel earlier this year. International media reports have documented the downing of several of the advanced drones during the conflict.

The IRGC said the latest incident occurred over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime oil transit routes, underscoring growing tensions in the region.

As of now, U.S. authorities have not independently confirmed Iran's claim that an MQ-9 Reaper drone was shot down. Independent verification of the incident remains unavailable.