WASHINGTON — Iran's Navy claimed Thursday it shot down a U.S. MQ-1 Predator drone over its southern territorial waters, according to Iranian state media, marking an assertion of direct military action against a U.S. asset that could test the Trump administration's stated willingness to confront Tehran.
U.S. Central Command has not confirmed or denied the claim. U.S. military drones routinely operate in international airspace over the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for global oil. The administration, which has taken a confrontational stance on Iran's nuclear program and regional activities, is assessing Iran's statement.
The claim echoes a 2019 incident when Iran shot down a U.S. Navy RQ-4 Global Hawk drone over the Strait of Hormuz. That downing prompted a U.S. cyberattack on Iranian missile systems and brought the two nations to the brink of broader military conflict.
Congress is expected to demand immediate briefings from the Pentagon and State Department. Lawmakers will press for confirmation of the drone's loss and details on how it affects U.S. surveillance operations in the region. Any confirmed loss could force a review of operational protocols in waters where American and Iranian forces operate in close proximity.
