Iran claims MQ-9 downed and two drones captured near Hormuz
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on La Nouvelle Tribune
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say they shot down a US MQ-9 drone and captured two MQM-170s around the Strait of Hormuz. Washington has not confirmed the losses, while the announcement comes as Qatari mediators return to Tehran, according to Tasnim news agency.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say they shot down a US MQ-9 drone and neutralised two MQM-170s around the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement reported on Monday 2 November 2026 by Iranian news agency Tasnim. Washington has not confirmed the losses so far.
The two MQM-170s were reportedly captured using the Guards’ aerospace force electronic warfare systems, which would bring to four the number of drones of this type that Iran says it holds. Tehran also describes the MQ-9 as the 55th aircraft of this model destroyed by its forces.
The announcement comes as Qatari mediators have returned to Tehran. The Guards had already claimed on 29 October to have captured an MQM-170 west of the strait, a claim dismissed as false by CENTCOM, the US military command for the Middle East.
The MQM-170 Outlaw is used mainly to simulate threats during military exercises. Iran had previously displayed a US RQ-170 Sentinel drone in December 2011 after its loss, which Washington acknowledged. The announcement comes amid discussions about reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran proposes within two days and is negotiating with Washington, according to reports that Iran proposes to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and Iran is negotiating with Washington.
