Iran Downs 14th MQ-1 Drone Near Hormuz as US Strike Fears Grow
(MENAFN) Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Thursday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed an MQ-1 drone east of the Strait of Hormuz, according to a semi-official Iranian news agency citing the force.
The IRGC described the aircraft as the 14th MQ-1 its air defense system has brought down.
The semi-official agency reported that the drone was downed in airspace east of the strait, opposite the coastal area of Sirik.
The MQ-1 is a US-made unmanned aerial vehicle. The IRGC, however, did not say who was operating the drone.
The shootdown comes amid mounting signs that the US and Israel may be preparing another round of offensive action against Iran. A major US financial daily reported Tuesday that Washington had told several Gulf Arab states to prepare for a “short, intense military campaign” against Tehran after the Nov. 3 US midterm elections. According to the report, US President Donald Trump has not made a final decision but is leaning toward a large-scale attack once the elections are over.
The tensions stem from the war the US and Israel launched against Iran on Feb. 28. Tehran answered with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies. A memorandum of understanding signed in June to pave the way for a final peace deal later collapsed amid disagreements, including over navigation in the strait.
The IRGC described the aircraft as the 14th MQ-1 its air defense system has brought down.
The semi-official agency reported that the drone was downed in airspace east of the strait, opposite the coastal area of Sirik.
The MQ-1 is a US-made unmanned aerial vehicle. The IRGC, however, did not say who was operating the drone.
The shootdown comes amid mounting signs that the US and Israel may be preparing another round of offensive action against Iran. A major US financial daily reported Tuesday that Washington had told several Gulf Arab states to prepare for a “short, intense military campaign” against Tehran after the Nov. 3 US midterm elections. According to the report, US President Donald Trump has not made a final decision but is leaning toward a large-scale attack once the elections are over.
The tensions stem from the war the US and Israel launched against Iran on Feb. 28. Tehran answered with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies. A memorandum of understanding signed in June to pave the way for a final peace deal later collapsed amid disagreements, including over navigation in the strait.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Comments
No comment