Iran Claims to Have Shot Down Two US LUCAS Kamikaze Drones Near Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims its air defense forces have shot down two American-made LUCAS kamikaze drones near the Strait of Hormuz, escalating military tensions between Tehran and Washington.
According to Iran’s Fars News Agency, the drones were intercepted over Bandar Khamir in Hormozgan Province, southern Iran, by air defense units operating under the Imam Sajjad Corps.
The IRGC said the drones were detected, tracked and destroyed by its integrated air defense network on November 3. Iranian state media also released footage and images it said showed the downed American drones.
The LUCAS, or Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System, is a one-way attack drone developed by the United States. Its design is based on Iran’s Shahed-136 drone and has been used by American forces in combat operations against Iranian targets.
The latest claim comes amid heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, following recent US strikes on Iranian targets near Qeshm Island and continued confrontations involving military drones.
There has been no immediate confirmation from the US military regarding Iran’s latest claim.