Accra:Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on Tuesday that it intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-9 drone over the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Anadolu Agency, the semi-official Fars news agency reported that the drone was downed early Tuesday while flying over the strategic waterway. The Revolutionary Guard stated that this was the 54th US MQ-9 drone it had destroyed.

The incident follows a series of tensions that escalated when the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28. In response, Tehran conducted missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. Subsequently, the US imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

In June, the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding regarding freedom of navigation in the strait. However, the implementation of this agreement has faced obstacles due to disputes over security in the area.