IRGC shoots down US MQ-9 drone over Strait of Hormuz

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Monday that it had shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz, with the aircraft crashing into the waters of the Persian Gulf. In a statement, the IRGC public relations office said that the "ever-watchful fighters of the IRGC's modern air defence" struck the long-range U.S. drone with missile fire early on Monday. The aircraft subsequently fell into the Persian Gulf.

The statement praised the Iranian people's continued presence in the field as the greatest support for the nation's fighters. The IRGC did not provide further details about the incident, such as the exact location or the drone's mission.

The downing of the drone is the latest in a series of confrontations between Iran and the United States in the region. The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic waterway through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes, and tensions have been high in recent years over Iran's nuclear program and U.S. sanctions.

According to Mehr News Agency, the IRGC's statement highlighted the vigilance of its air defense forces and the support of the Iranian people. The report did not mention any casualties or damage beyond the loss of the drone.

This incident is likely to further escalate tensions between Tehran and Washington, which have been at odds over various issues, including the 2015 nuclear deal and U.S. military presence in the Persian Gulf. The United States has not yet officially commented on the incident.

As of now, there has been no independent confirmation of the downing, and the details remain as reported by the IRGC. The situation in the region remains tense, with both sides continuing to assert their military capabilities.