Iran has released footage purportedly showing a downed combat reconnaissance drone over the Strait of Hormuz. The video, published by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Wednesday, depicts individuals standing near the wreckage. Reuters has verified the location but could not confirm the date of the footage, though no earlier version was found online.
Arun Dawson, a PhD candidate in War Studies at the Freeman Air and Space Institute, told Reuters that the object in the video appears to be the external fuel tank of a General Atomics MQ-9A ER Reaper, also known as Predator B, which is operated by the United States. This suggests the downed aircraft may be a US drone.
The release of the footage coincides with comments from US President Donald Trump, who stated that a war with Iran would “be over quickly” following “very good talks” with Iran over the past 24 hours. The incident raises tensions in the region, though the veracity of Iran's claim remains unconfirmed.
