The Islamic Major Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it downed an MQ-9 Reaper drone after identifying a hostile aircraft had entered Iran’s airspace in the Gulf region on Tuesday. It also claimed to have fired at an F-35 fighter jet, forcing it to leave its airspace, and an RQ-4 intelligence collection drone, though the IRGC added it reserved the “legitimate and definite” right to retaliate against any ceasefire violations by the U.S., according to state media.

U.S. Conducts Self-Defense Strikes in Southern Iran

The U.S. carried out “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran overnight, targeting boats attempting to lay mines and missile launch sites. “US forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said. “US Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,” he added.

U.S. Armed Reaper Drones with GBU-39B Bombs

Air Force Special Operations Command has armed its MQ-9 Reaper drones with the GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb, significantly increasing the aircraft’s ability to strike high-value targets from safer stand-off ranges in contested environments. The U.S. This upgrade, announced on May 19, 2026, reflects a broader shift toward arming unmanned systems with longer-range and more survivable precision weapons to maintain operational effectiveness against increasingly advanced adversaries.

The GBU-39B provides the MQ-9 with a compact precision-guided weapon capable of striking fortified or mobile targets with reduced collateral damage, enabling operators to conduct accurate strikes in dense or sensitive combat areas.

Iran Destroys or Damages 30 U.S. Reaper Drones

According to Bloomberg, Iran has destroyed or severely damaged up to 30 U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones since the start of the conflict, representing 20% of the pre-conflict fleet. The losses have brought the U.S. Air Force’s Reaper inventory down to 135 units, well below the 189 required by the Pentagon. Each Reaper costs more than $30 million, and the estimated cost to replace the lost drones is around $1 billion. The total cost of the operation against Iran now exceeds $29 billion.

General David Tabor, deputy director of plans and programs at the Air Force, confirmed the decline in the Reaper fleet. Production of the standard MQ-9 was halted last year, though variants continue to be produced for foreign clients.

The loss of 30 drones has been a significant blow to Washington’s surveillance and strike doctrine. The U.S. has not officially confirmed the figures, but the data align with ongoing reports of Iranian air defenses targeting U.S. assets in the region.