IRGC says it shot down US MQ-1 and MQ-9 drones over eastern Strait of Hormuz

What happened: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) public relations office announced it destroyed an MQ-1 drone early today in the eastern Strait of Hormuz, opposite the coast of Sirik, and released images it says show interception and destruction of MQ-1 and MQ-9 drones. What the IRGC says: The statement says a new advanced air-defense system of the IRGC Aerospace Force, operating under the country’s integrated air-defense network, has now destroyed 68 U.S. drones — 54 MQ-9s and 14 MQ-1s. Context and details retained from the report: The announcement emphasizes the drones targeted are among the United States’ primary reconnaissance and strike aircraft, equipped with advanced surveillance systems, thermal cameras, satellite communications and long-endurance flight capability, and that the system was used to counter those valuable intelligence and combat platforms. Source: Young Journalists Club (Telegram).