The Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps stated it destroyed an MQ-9 Reaper drone at 2:29 a.m.
local time Wednesday using a new advanced air defense system.
Iranian media called it the 52nd such Reaper lost since the conflict began, amid recent claims of downing three more U.S. MQ-1 drones nearby.
The MQ-9, valued at $30 million or more per unit, supports surveillance and strikes, with U.S. losses already reportedly high; no U.S. comment has surfaced yet.