ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Updated:

Iran's air defense shot down a US military MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz, the regime's state broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), claimed on Tuesday.

According to IRIB's claims, this would mark the third US drone shot down by Iran on Tuesday.

Earlier, the Qatari-owned Al Jazeera reported that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps had shot down a US MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz.

Smoke rises from explosions at an unknown location, following what US Central Command (CENTCOM) said were strikes on Iran in response to an Iranian drone strike on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, in this screen grab from video released June 26, 2026.
Smoke rises from explosions at an unknown location, following what US Central Command (CENTCOM) said were strikes on Iran in response to an Iranian drone strike on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, in this screen grab from video released June 26, 2026. (credit: US CENTRAL COMMAND/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

US destroys two Iranian ships over attempt to steal naval drone

In a separate report, Axios, citing US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins, reported that the IRGC on Monday had attempted to steal a drone belonging to the US Navy that had been patrolling the Strait of Hormuz. 

"Iranian small boats recently attempted to take possession of a US unmanned surface vessel, but they were unsuccessful after CENTCOM forcefully responded," Hawkins said. "The surface drone remains under US operational control."

Hawkins added that the US, in response, had destroyed two Iranian small boats, which Iranian media presented as attacks on "fishing boats."