Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone in the Gulf region after identifying what it called hostile aircraft entering Iranian airspace.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards said the US MQ-9 drone was downed after it allegedly violated Iran’s airspace. State media reported that the IRGC identified hostile aircraft entering Iranian airspace in the Gulf region before taking action.
The statement did not specify exactly when the incident took place.
According to the IRGC statement, Iranian forces also fired on an RQ-4 drone and an intruding US F-35 fighter jet patrolling the area. The Guards did not provide further details about the outcome of those engagements.
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Iran warns over ceasefire violations
The IRGC said Iran reserves the “legitimate and definite” right to retaliate against any ceasefire violations by the United States. The warning came as fears grow over the fragile ceasefire between the two sides.
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The incident followed a US military statement saying American forces had attacked rocket-launch sites in what Washington described as a “defensive” action.
What is the MQ-9 Reaper?
The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle used by the US military. It can loiter at altitudes of around 50,000 feet for more than 27 hours.
The drone is capable of gathering intelligence using advanced cameras, sensors and radars. The Reaper entered service with the US Air Force 16 years ago and can also be equipped with weapons such as air-to-ground missiles.
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