Iran says it shot down another US drone

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-9 drone over Qeshm Island in the Gulf. The island sits near the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that carries about one-fifth of the world's oil. The IRGC announced the downing on its official channels. It did not say when the incident happened or how the drone was brought down. The MQ-9 Reaper is a large unmanned aircraft used by the US military for surveillance and strikes. It can fly for more than 24 hours at a time. There was no immediate comment from US officials. This is not the first such incident. In 2019, Iran shot down a US drone over the Strait of Hormuz, nearly triggering a military response. The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint between Iran and the United States. Both sides have accused each other of provocative actions in the area in recent years.