File image.
Iranian air defenses have apparently shot down an MQ-9 Reaper combat drone of the United States military over Qeshm Island on May 6.
State broadcaster IRIB reported, citing local officials, that air defense systems were activated against drones over Qeshm in the early morning. Several blasts were heard, and a video shared later in the day by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency showed a ball fire falling from the sky near the island.
Another video that was shared by the semi-official Fars News Agency afterwards showed locals in Qashm collecting what appears to be the wreckage of an MQ-9.
Drone interceptions by Iranian air defenses have taken place several times in recent weeks, even over Tehran, despite a ceasefire with the U.S. This is, however, the first time footage showing the wreckage of the downed drone has emerged online.
MQ-9 drones are primarily used to collect intelligence, but have the ability to conduct pinpoint strikes. The advanced drones can operate for more than 27 hours and reach altitudes of over 25,000 feet.
The U.S. military has reportedly lost 24 MQ-9s during the war on Iran. A single Reaper drone can cost about $30 million or more.
Taking into account the latest loss, the total cost of the MQ-9s lost in the course of the war could be way more than $750 millions.
Notably the incident in Qeshm took place as President Donald Trump announced 5 that the U.S. will be pausing the operation it launched just one day earlier to assist vessels stuck in the Strait of Hormuz due to progress made in talks toward a permanent ceasefire with Iran.
Later reports revealed that the U.S. and Iran are nearing a one-page memorandum of understanding with Iran to end the war and lay out a framework for talks on the regime’s nuclear program.
Iran is clearly keeping its finger on the trigger, as the U.S. attacked amid talks in the past. The fact that the U.S. military sent a combat drone this close to Iranian territories amid progress in talks is in itself highly suspicious.
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