Iran Claims Shooting Down US Drone Over Strait of Hormuz

Iran claimed on September 1, 2026, that its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Washington. The IRGC stated its Aerospace Force used a "new advanced air defense system" to destroy the unmanned aircraft, which it said crashed into the Persian Gulf. The U.S. military has not confirmed or denied the loss of the drone. The claim followed a series of retaliatory strikes between the two nations. On Sunday, August 30, U.S. forces conducted strikes on two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island. A U.S. official said the launchers were being prepared to fire rockets carrying sea mines into the strait, posing an imminent threat to commercial shipping. The U.S. described the action as necessary to protect freedom of navigation through the critical energy corridor. In response, Iran launched ballistic missile attacks on the U.S.-operated King Hussein and Al Azraq air bases in Jordan. The IRGC said the strikes targeted technical and maintenance infrastructure, causing heavy damage.