Iran Claims Downing of U.S. MQ-9 Drone Over Bushehr Province

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on June 10, 2026, that its forces intercepted and destroyed a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone over the southern Iranian province of Bushehr. The IRGC released footage purportedly showing the drone crashing as a fireball in the night sky.

According to the IRGC's statement, the drone was "intercepted and destroyed" over Jam county. This announcement follows an alleged U.S. Apache helicopter incident the previous day, suggesting a potential escalation of tensions between the two nations.

Military analysts suggest the downed MQ-9 Reaper might have been armed with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and was potentially attempting to attack Iranian missile launchers. The IRGC's air defense units are credited with shooting down the drone.

As of the report, U.S. military officials have not yet responded to Iran's claims. The situation remains tense, with both sides engaged in actions that could further destabilize the region.