United States Air Force MQ-9 Reaper Shot down

The IRGC Aerospace Force shot down an MQ-9 Reaper between Andimeshk in Khuzestan province and Dehloran in Ilam province on 16 July 2026, close to the Iraqi border. The loss came two days after the United States reinstated its naval blockade of Iranian ports and as CENTCOM expanded strikes into northern Iran. The border belt between Khuzestan and Ilam had become a favoured engagement area for Iranian air defences against aircraft transiting from Iraqi airspace.