IRGC Shoots Down US MQ-1 Predator Drone After Entering Iranian Airspace Over Territorial Waters

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it shot down a US MQ-1 Predator drone after it entered Iranian airspace over the country’s territorial waters early Sunday morning.

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Aaj English TV

The IRGC statement cited by IRNA said the drone “entered Iranian airspace in what it described as a "hostile operation" in the early hours of Sunday,” and that it was detected and downed by Iranian advanced air defense missile systems after it crossed into territorial waters.

Aaj English TV

In a separate report carried by News.Az citing Anadolu Agency, the IRGC said it intercepted and destroyed an MQ-1 Predator UAV at dawn and claimed the American drone had crossed into Iranian airspace to conduct what it described as a "hostile operation."

The IRGC warned that Iran’s armed forces are prepared to respond decisively to any further acts of aggression or border violations, while the US military had not yet publicly responded to the claims.

The IRGC Public Relations Department said the MQ-1 Predator was tracked and targeted by advanced surface-to-air missiles shortly after crossing into Iranian skies, adding that it was neutralised before it could carry out any hostile action.

In the same account, the IRGC warned, “Iranian airspace over our territorial waters is under full control of our air defence units,” and said any unauthorised intrusion would be met with a decisive response.

Anadolu Ajansı

The AP7AM report also placed the drone claim alongside earlier IRGC assertions, saying that on Tuesday the IRGC reserved the “legitimate and definite" right to retaliate against any ceasefire violations by the United States and that its air defence units had shot down a US MQ-9 drone.

AP7AM further quoted CENTCOM spokesperson Tim Hawkins saying, “US forces conducted self-defence strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” describing targets that included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines.

The incident was reported as part of a broader pattern of military posturing in the Persian Gulf, with the IRGC framing the MQ-1 as an attempted hostile operation and issuing warnings that “any aggression will be dealt with decisively.”

“Iran says it shot down US military drone above territorial waters Military says MQ-1 Predator UAV detected, destroyed by air defense systems after entering Iranian airspace, according to state-run IRNA news agency Seyit Kurt 31 May 2026•Update: 31 May 2026 ISTANBUL Iran said Sunday it shot down a US military MQ-1 Predator armed drone above its territorial waters, according to the state-run news agency IRNA”

Anadolu Ajansı

Middle East Eye said the IRGC told Iranian state broadcaster IRIB that the drone “attempted to carry out a hostile operation” and “was immediately detected and targeted by the Revolutionary Guard’s modern defence missiles and shot down,” while adding that “any aggression will be dealt with decisively.”

At the same time, Iran’s wider dispute with the United States was described in ای ایران اینترنیشنل, which reported that US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox, “I’d like to say I’m in a hurry because gasoline prices are going to come tumbling down but if you are in a hurry you’re not going to make a good deal.”

That same report said Trump asked for amendments to a draft Iran agreement negotiated by US envoys during a Situation Room meeting on Friday, and it described the draft as including a 60-day negotiation window and provisions on Iran’s nuclear program, including its enriched uranium stockpile and limits on further enrichment.