Jakarta, ThedailyID — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-9 drone east of the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, November 3.
In a statement carried by Iranian news agency Fars, the IRGC said it used its latest advanced air defense system to shoot down the aircraft. The force claimed it was the 55th US MQ-9 drone it had destroyed. The US military has not directly confirmed Tehran’s claim.
In a separate statement, the IRGC also claimed its forces downed two US MQM-170 drones on the same day. It said its forces detected the reconnaissance aircraft south of Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC claimed the latest incident brought the number of captured US drones of this type to four.
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported that five explosions were heard on Qeshm Island, citing Iran’s official news agency IRNA. The agency also reported that residents saw two aircraft flying over the island.
The drone incidents came as US President Donald Trump announced that Washington and Tehran could reach an agreement. His remarks followed reports that negotiations between the two countries had resumed.
“Oil prices are DOWN SHARPLY, nearly US$10 per barrel, A RECORD, because people feel there will be no war with Iran. Iran wants a settlement, as quickly as possible. It could happen!” Trump wrote on Truth Social ahead of the US midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that “very intensive” discussions with the United States were underway through mediators.
“Given the sensitivity and seriousness of the current situation, consultations and discussions are taking place very intensively. Qatar and Pakistan are playing a very active mediating role in these negotiations,” Araghchi said in a video interview with IRNA.
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref also described the exchange of messages through mediators as evidence that Washington had acknowledged Tehran’s claimed victory in the Middle East conflict.
“Our enemy failed to achieve any of its objectives in the last two wars,” Aref said, according to IRNA. He added that messages delivered to Iran through intermediaries showed recognition of what Tehran considers its victory.
