Iran claims second US drone shot down in five days, warns ships in Strait of Hormuz; unveils missile-armed speed boat

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on May 31st that it had shot down a U.S. MQ-1 Predator drone over its territorial waters, marking the second such claim in just five days. The IRGC also asserted its "absolute control" over the Strait of Hormuz, issuing a stern warning to all commercial and oil tankers transiting the vital waterway.

According to Al Jazeera, the drone was downed early on May 31st. While the MQ-1 Predator was retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2018, other U.S. military branches reportedly still utilize the aircraft for armed reconnaissance. This incident follows an earlier claim by the IRGC on May 26th, stating they had downed a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone using a new air defense system named "Arash-e Kamangir."

In a show of naval strength, Iran's military unveiled its latest "27 Rajab" high-speed naval attack craft. Revealed through the semi-official Fars News Agency, the vessel boasts a top speed of 100 knots (approximately 185 km/h) and is equipped to launch long-range cruise missiles. Iranian military officials described the craft as a symbol of the nation's advancing maritime defense capabilities, capable of countering larger warships through swarm tactics.

The escalating geopolitical tensions occur amidst a fragile ceasefire period between the U.S. and Iran. U.S. Central Command had previously confirmed defensive airstrikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and vessels suspected of laying mines. Neither the White House nor the Pentagon has issued an official response to Iran's latest drone downing claims or the Strait of Hormuz warnings.