Iran Claims to Shoot Down Another US MQ-9 Reaper Drone Over Ahvaz

 Iran Claims to Shoot Down Another US MQ-9 Reaper Drone Over Ahvaz

Date: July 20, 2026

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed it shot down another US MQ-9 Reaper drone over the southwestern city of Ahvaz, marking another escalation in the ongoing military confrontation between Tehran and Washington. According to Iranian state media, the drone was intercepted by Iran's air defense network during what officials described as a hostile reconnaissance mission. �

Middle East Monitor +1

At the time of writing, US officials have not publicly confirmed the loss of the drone, making Iran's account an unverified claim from the US perspective. �

Anadolu Ajansı +1

MQ-9 Reaper Drone Value

The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is one of the US military's most advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, capable of intelligence gathering, surveillance, precision strikes, and long-endurance operations.

Estimated cost per drone: Approximately US$30–34 million, depending on configuration and support equipment. �

TechRadar +2

How Many MQ-9 Reapers Has Iran Claimed to Shoot Down?

Recent reports indicate:

Iran now claims to have shot down around 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones since the conflict began.

Iranian officials also claim to have destroyed more than 150 US drones of various types during the war.

Independent verification of these figures has not been provided, and US officials have not confirmed the full number claimed by Iran. �

Dawn +2

Estimated Financial Impact

If Iran's claim of 30 destroyed MQ-9 Reapers is accurate:

Estimated value per drone: US$30–34 million

Estimated total value destroyed: US$900 million to over US$1 billion. �

TechRadar +1

Regional Tensions Continue

The reported shootdown comes as military exchanges between Iran and the United States continue across multiple fronts, including missile strikes, drone operations, and attacks on strategic military infrastructure. Analysts warn that each new incident increases the risk of a broader regional conflict involving additional countries. �

gulfnews.com +1

The situation remains fluid, and further confirmation from US defense officials is expected as more information becomes available.