TEHRAN -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said on Wednesday its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a U.S. MQ-1 drone over Qeshm Island and shot down a 56th MQ-9 drone over the Strait of Hormuz, while its navy destroyed four tankers that struck mines and halted two other vessels in the strategic waterway.
The IRGC’s public relations office said in a statement that the MQ-1 was the 15th aircraft of its kind brought down by Iranian air defenses since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in late February. 
A separate statement said the MQ-9 was targeted at 4:30 a.m. local time (0100 GMT) using a “modern defense system”.
The IRGC said four violating oil tankers attempting to cross a prohibited corridor south of the Strait of Hormuz struck naval mines, were destroyed and remained ablaze, while two other vessels were stopped. 
The IRGC Navy said the tankers had switched off their navigation and identification systems and ignored repeated warnings communicated via radio and official notices.
The statements, issued on the 248th night of popular street rallies, said the enemy has in recent nights intensified reconnaissance efforts to probe Iran’s air defenses and sought through conspiratorial measures in the Strait of Hormuz to influence regional conditions and lower global oil prices.