Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed its air defence units successfully intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-1 Predator drone after it entered Iranian airspace over the Persian Gulf.

The IRGC Public Relations Department said in a statement on Sunday that the multi-mission, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle was tracked and targeted by advanced surface-to-air missiles shortly after crossing into Iranian skies.

The statement emphasised that the drone was neutralised before it could carry out any hostile action.

“Iranian airspace over our territorial waters is under full control of our air defence units,” the IRGC warned, adding that any unauthorised intrusion would be met with a decisive response.

The incident follows a similar event on Saturday, when Iran’s Army air defence units shot down an Orbiter drone near Qeshm Island.

The Army’s Public Relations Department described the drone as belonging to the “aggressor US-Zionist enemy” and said it was destroyed by integrated air defence systems operating under the country’s Joint Air Defence Headquarters.

These incidents highlight Tehran’s ongoing vigilance over its airspace and the Persian Gulf region.