The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) says its air defense systems have intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-1 drone over Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf. 

In a statement on Saturday, the IRGC’s public relations office said the drone was shot down at around 2:30 p.m. by an advanced air defense system operated by the IRGC Aerospace Force.

The statement described the aircraft as a reconnaissance and combat drone belonging to the US military’s MQ-1 family, calling the interception another failure of enemy reconnaissance missions.

According to the IRGC, this brings the number of US MQ-1 drones it has destroyed to 17. The IRGC also said its forces have so far shot down 56 MQ-9 drones.

The MQ-1 Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft developed by General Atomics and operated primarily by the US Air Force.

The aircraft has been widely used in US military and surveillance operations across the West Asia region and beyond.