IRGC Destroys US MQ-9 Drones in Fresh Wave of Counterattack
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps launched a new round of missile and drone strikes against US military bases in Jordan, destroying ten MQ-9 drones, damaging two heavy-lift helicopters, and inflicting casualties on American troops in retaliation for continued US attacks on Iran.
The IRGC said the strikes were carried out during the 25th wave of Operation Nasr-2 (Victory-2), targeting the King Faisal and Prince Hassan bases in Jordan.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the IRGC said recent US attacks had been conducted under the pretext of retaliating for explosions involving vessels attempting to use the "illegal southern route" in the Strait of Hormuz.
It said that although no vessel attempted to traverse the route on Tuesday night and no explosions occurred, the United States nevertheless launched fresh air and missile attacks against Iranian military and civilian sites, prompting a "crushing response."
According to the statement, the first wave of Iranian missile and drone strikes hit an F-15 preparation hangar and a drone storage facility, where eight brand-new MQ-9 drones were destroyed before becoming operational, while two additional ready-to-deploy MQ-9s sustained heavy damage.
The IRGC added that another strike inflicted major damage on two US heavy-lift helicopters housed in a maintenance hangar.
It also noted that an attack on accommodation facilities for US troops at the bases killed and wounded an unspecified number of American personnel.
The IRGC said its retaliatory operations would continue until the US pays a heavy price for violating agreements and committing acts of aggression.
The statement warned that if Washington persists in attacking Iran, the IRGC is prepared to launch even more severe operations that would "lead to national mourning in the United States."