Iranian Revolutionary Guard: US-made MQ-9 type UAV shot down in the Strait of Hormuz

In the statement made by the Revolutionary Guard Army, it was stated that the US-made UAV was detected over the Strait of Hormuz at 04.30 local time and was shot down by air defense systems.

In the statement, it was stated that 4 oil tankers trying to use the prohibited passage route in the south of the Strait of Hormuz hit sea mines and caught fire.

It was stated in the statement that two more ships and marine vessels were stopped, and that the downed UAV was the 56th MQ-9 type UAV.

Situation in the Strait of Hormuz

The USA and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, 2026, and the Strait of Hormuz, which is critical for global oil exports and supply chains, was closed during the attacks.

Iran also launched attacks on Gulf countries and points in the region that it said were "US and Israeli targets", and a ceasefire was later reached.

With the "Islamabad Memorandum" signed between Washington and Tehran on June 17, 2026, it was decided to stop military attacks and initiate arrangements to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic.

However, it was later interrupted due to disagreements regarding the implementation of the agreement and navigation in the strait, and the conflicts started again in July.

Iran announced that it closed the Strait of Hormuz again on July 12 after the USA resumed its attacks on July 8.