Iran has claimed that its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intercepted a US MQ-1 Predator reconnaissance drone over the Strait of Hormuz.


The IRGC used a new air-defence system to intercept the aircraft, Iran's state news agency reports.


The MQ-1 had been withdrawn from service by the US Navy and Air Force several years ago and replaced by the more advanced MQ-9 Reaper.


The agency claimed that US forces had resumed using MQ-1 drones following losses of MQ-9 aircraft.


By Aghakazim Guliyev