# Iran downs at least 2 U.S. drones

> Iranian forces have brought down at least two American MQ-1 unmanned aircraft in recent days, U.S. officials say.
- Title: Iran downs at least 2 U.S. drones · CBS News | Shortify
- Summary: Iranian forces have brought down at least two American MQ-1 unmanned aircraft in recent days, U.S. officials say. Iran has downed at least two American MQ-1…
- Keywords: iran, united states, unmanned aircraft, mq-1, military operations, strait of hormuz, news, downs, least, drones, CBS News
- Source: CBS News — https://cbsnews.com/news/iran-downed-american-drones-us-officials
- Author: 0
- Published: 2026-09-17T21:07:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: iran, united states, unmanned aircraft, mq-1, military operations, strait of hormuz, news
## Iran brings down two U.S. drones
Iranian forces have downed at least two American MQ-1 unmanned aircraft in recent days, according to U.S. officials who spoke to CBS News on condition of anonymity.
## Two MQ-1 variants in service
The U.S. military operates two principal MQ-1 variants: the Predator, retired by the Air Force in 2018, and the Gray Eagle, a larger Predator-derived aircraft still operated by the Army.
## Drones designed for surveillance
Both the Predator and Gray Eagle were designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions but can also carry Hellfire missiles for striking targets.
## Cost of the lost aircraft
If the downed aircraft were older MQ-1 Predators, the loss would total roughly eight million dollars. Gray Eagles cost tens of millions of dollars depending on the variant.
## Broader losses in the conflict
At least twenty-four MQ-9 Reapers have been lost since the U.S. began its war with Iran, representing roughly seven hundred twenty million dollars in losses, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
## Pentagon declines to comment
U.S. Central Command, the military unit responsible for operations against Iran, declined to comment to CBS News on Thursday about the downed aircraft.
## Key takeaway

Iran has downed at least two American MQ-1 unmanned aircraft, according to U.S. officials who spoke anonymously.