Iran downed at least 2 unmanned American aircraft in recent days, U.S. officials say

Iranian forces brought down at least two American MQ-1 unmanned aircraft in recent days, according to U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. The type and exact location of these incidents are unclear, but the MQ-1 variants include the Predator, retired by the Air Force in 2018, or the larger Gray Eagle still used by the Army's special operations forces. Each aircraft can cost up to $4 million, so the loss could be significant if they were Predators, equating to approximately $8 million total. These drones typically provide surveillance and reconnaissance over the Strait of Hormuz while also tracking Iranian military activities and monitoring threats to U.S. forces and commercial shipping in the region.