Strait of hormuz: The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has announced the downing and destruction of yet another American MQ-1 drone over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. In a statement issued early on Monday, the IRGC said the MQ-1 drone belonging to the US military has been intercepted by the Aerospace Force's advanced air defense system, operating under the country's integrated air defense network.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, heavy losses of MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have compelled Washington to bring the retired spy and combat MQ-1 drone back into operation. Once known as the Beast of Kandahar for its 20,000 flight hours during the US-led invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, the MQ-1 had been retired from the American naval and air force divisions for several years and was replaced by the MQ-9 Reaper drones.

It is worth noting that both models are frequently targeted and shot down by the IRGC's modern air defense systems in the country's airspace. The Iranian Armed Forces have destroyed dozens of spy and combat drones, as well as other hostile aircraft, since the US and the Israeli regime launched their war of aggression, in violation of the UN Charter and international law.