Friday, September 18, 2026 - Iranian forces have brought down at least two American MQ-1 unmanned aircraft in recent days, according to U.S. officials familiar with the incidents.
The officials, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to comment publicly, did not disclose where the aircraft were downed or which MQ-1 variant was involved. The reported losses come as military tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high across the region.
The U.S. military has operated two main MQ-1 variants: the Predator and the larger Gray Eagle. Both are primarily designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, although they can also carry weapons.
Their surveillance capabilities are particularly significant around the Strait of Hormuz, where American forces have been monitoring Iranian military activity and potential threats to U.S. personnel and commercial shipping.
The latest incidents add to mounting U.S. drone losses during the conflict. A Congressional Budget Office report released this week said at least 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones had been lost since the United States began its war with Iran, representing an estimated $720 million in equipment losses.
Another MQ-4C Triton was also destroyed, with an estimated value of about $150 million. U.S. Central Command declined to comment on the reported MQ-1 shootdowns, leaving important details about the incidents unconfirmed.
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