Iran shot down at least two MQ-1 drones recently: US media

Iranian forces have brought down at least two American MQ-1 unmanned aircraft in recent days, according to US officials cited by CBS News.

The officials did not specify the exact locations or which MQ-1 variant was involved.

The US military has fielded two main types: the older Predator, retired by the Air Force in 2018 after extensive use in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the larger Gray Eagle, still operated by the Army, including special operations forces.

Both are designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance but can also carry Hellfire missiles.

In the Strait of Hormuz, these drones provide persistent surveillance of the vital waterway, track Iranian military activity, and monitor threats to American forces and commercial shipping.

If the lost aircraft were older Predators, the combined cost would be roughly $8 million; Gray Eagles cost tens of millions each depending on the variant.

The losses come amid a broader toll on American unmanned systems since the conflict with Iran began following US-‘Israeli’ strikes on February 28.

A Congressional Budget Office report this week indicated at least 24 MQ-9 Reapers have been lost, valued at roughly $720 million, along with an MQ-4C Triton worth about $150 million.

Iranian state media and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have claimed multiple MQ-1 shoot-downs over the Strait of Hormuz in the same period.

IRGC statements described the drones as “intruding” aircraft destroyed by advanced air defense systems operating within Iran’s integrated network, with claims of up to four MQ-1s brought down in recent days east and west of the strategic waterway.

Tehran has also reported downing additional MQ-9 Reapers near Qeshm Island, asserting one was the 53rd of that type destroyed during the conflict.

Iranian officials frame these actions as responses to violations of Iranian airspace and territorial waters amid the ongoing hostilities.