Iran says 2 MQ-1 drones intercepted near Strait of Hormuz amid US tensions

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Tuesday that two MQ-1 drones were intercepted and “destroyed” near the Strait of Hormuz, marking the fourth such drone it says it has downed in recent days, Anadolu reports.

The IRGC said the drone was shot down east of the waterway by a newly deployed advanced air defense system operated by its Aerospace Force under Iran’s integrated air defense network.

Earlier Tuesday, the IRGC said that it intercepted an MQ-1 drone west of the Strait of Hormuz, without providing details on its operator or the exact location of the incident.

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It came a day after the IRGC said that it had “destroyed” another drone of the same type, according to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB.

The latest incidents come amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US over the Strait of Hormuz, where the two countries have remained at odds over navigation through the strategic waterway.

The US and Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, targeting government buildings, military sites, missile infrastructure, and air defenses. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks against Israel and US bases across the region.

The conflict has since expanded across the region, while diplomatic efforts have sought to end the hostilities.

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