Tehran: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday claimed it had shot down a US MQ-1 surveillance drone over the Strait of Hormuz, marking another flashpoint in the rapidly escalating confrontation between Tehran and Washington.
The claim was first reported by Iran’s state broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), through a post on X and was later echoed by several Iranian state-run media outlets. Iranian officials, however, did not disclose where the drone was brought down or provide additional operational details. The United States had not officially responded to the claim at the time of publication.
The reported incident comes shortly after US President Donald Trump announced the restoration of a naval blockade targeting Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, while stating that commercial vessels from other countries would continue to enjoy unrestricted passage through the strategic waterway.
Speaking after signing an Executive Order, Trump said the United States would intensify military pressure on Iran, claiming American forces had significantly weakened Tehran’s offensive capabilities through sustained operations. He asserted that Iran’s naval strength, air power, missile stockpiles and drone production facilities had suffered severe damage during recent strikes.
The US President also maintained that negotiations with Tehran had collapsed after Iran sought to reopen discussions on an agreement that he said had already been finalised. According to Trump, Washington would continue its military campaign, adding that further large-scale strikes on Iranian targets were planned.
US Central Command said recent operations were intended to reduce Iran’s military capabilities and limit its ability to threaten commercial shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported fresh explosions and attacks inside the country. According to Mehr News Agency, US projectiles struck the city of Omidiyeh in Khuzestan province, leaving at least four people injured. The agency also reported an explosion in the southern port city of Bushehr during the early hours of Monday, although Iranian authorities had not confirmed the cause of the blast.
The latest developments add to growing instability in the Gulf, where maritime security has become a major concern. Earlier, the United Arab Emirates accused Iran of launching cruise missile attacks on two of its oil tankers in Omani territorial waters near the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE said the strikes killed an Indian crew member and injured eight others, while causing damage to both vessels.
With military exchanges intensifying and diplomatic efforts showing little sign of progress, concerns are mounting over the possibility of a wider regional conflict. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical corridor for global energy supplies, and any disruption to shipping through the passage could have significant economic and geopolitical consequences.
At the time of publication, the United States had not independently confirmed Iran’s claim of shooting down the MQ-1 drone.
