Iran claims capture of US drone as Hormuz tensions escalate
Iran has claimed that its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) downed and captured a US military drone near Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions between Tehran and Washington intensify over control and navigation of the strategic waterway.
According to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency, the IRGC Aerospace Force used advanced electronic warfare systems to bring down an MQM-170 drone over Qeshm Island several hours before the announcement on Friday.
The report described the incident as the second time Iranian forces had captured an aircraft of this type intact.
On Thursday, the IRGC Navy claimed it had taken control of another US MQM-170 drone in the western Strait of Hormuz through an electronic warfare operation and landed it intact.
Iranian media said the aircraft had been deployed to identify Iranian air defence systems along the Gulf coast and the strategic waterway.
The US military rejected Thursday's account, with US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins dismissing the Iranian claim.
Iranian media also reported that the IRGC had intercepted and destroyed an MQ-1 drone near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday.
US denies destruction of unmanned naval vessel
The dispute over military drones extended to the sea on Friday, after Iran's Navy claimed it had destroyed an unidentified enemy unmanned surface vessel operating east of the Strait of Hormuz.
However, CENTCOM rejected the claim, saying all US military unmanned surface vessels deployed in the Middle East remained accounted for.
"All U.S. military unmanned surface vessels in the Middle East are accounted for, including a squadron of advanced sea drones on patrol in the Strait of Hormuz supporting CENTCOM's defensive layer," the command said in a statement posted on X.
Separately, Iranian naval authorities claimed that two tankers had struck naval mines and caught fire after entering waters Tehran considers restricted.
The IRGC Navy also said it had prevented two tankers from passing through the strait using what it described as unauthorized routes.
The claims and counterclaims have heightened concerns over maritime security and the safety of commercial shipping through one of the world's most important energy corridors.
Vance rules out prolonged US war with Iran
Amid the escalating military confrontation, US Vice President JD Vance has sought to reassure Americans that Washington does not intend to become involved in another prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking to Fox News on Thursday, Vance said President Donald Trump would not allow the conflict to develop into an endless war.
"There's a lot more we need to work on, but the one thing I'll tell you is, if you're worried about another forever war, Donald Trump is never going to let this be a forever war," he said.
Vance distinguished between criticizing unsuccessful foreign military interventions and arguing that the United States should never use its armed forces abroad.
"He's going to accomplish America's objectives, and then we're going to focus on the other things that we're doing," he added.
Strait of Hormuz remains at centre of confrontation
The latest developments come amid continuing tensions following the outbreak of the conflict on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate against Israel and US positions across several Arab countries.
Washington and Tehran signed a framework agreement in June and subsequently entered negotiations, but the talks later collapsed over disagreements concerning freedom of navigation and security arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway is a critical international shipping route, particularly for global oil and energy supplies, making any disruption a major concern for international markets and maritime trade.
With both sides issuing competing claims over military operations and maritime incidents, the situation around the strait remains volatile, raising fears of further escalation between Iran and the United States.
Source:AA
