US military drone shot down by Iranian missile in international airspace

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Norwegian-owned tanker Front Altair on fire on Thursday
A picture obtained by AFP from Iranian News Agency ISNA on June 13, 2019 reportedly shows fire and smoke billowing from Norwegian owned Front Altair tanker said to have been attacked in the waters of the Gulf of Oman. - Suspected attacks left two tankers in flames in the waters of the Gulf of Oman today, sending world oil prices soaring as Iran helped rescue stricken crew members. The mystery incident, the second involving shipping in the strategic sea lane in only a few weeks, came amid spiralling tensions between Tehran and Washington, which has pointed the finger at Iran over earlier tanker attacks in May. (Photo by - / ISNA / AFP) (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)

A US military drone has reportedly been shot down in international airspace by an Iranian missile.

The MQ-4C Triton drone was targeted as it flew over the Strait of Hormuz, south of Iran, Reuters said, citing an unnamed US officer.

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This contradicts an earlier story by Iran’s state-run news agency. IRNA reported the country’s Revolutionary Guards shot a US “spy” drone in the province of Hormozgan.

The story identified the drone as an RQ-4 Global Hawk. The Guards said it was shot down when it entered Iran’s airspace.

However, a spokesperson for the US military’s central command said no US aircraft were flying over Iran on Wednesday.

Tensions in the region have increased since the US accused Iran of attacking two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.

Read more: US says video shoes Iran removing unexploded mine

In a statement last week the US said Iranian forces were “observed and recorded removing an unexploded limpet mine” from one of the ships.

The U.S. military has in recent days confirmed an attempt by Iran to shoot down a U.S. drone last week. It also confirmed a successful shootdown of one on 6 June by Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen.