# Iran Says It Downed U.S. Drones and Reports Tanker Explosions in Strait of Hormuz

*Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at 12:19 PM UTC — Hamer Intelligence Services Desk*

**Published**: 2026-11-03T12:19:36.376Z (2h ago)
**Category**: geopolitics | **Region**: Middle East
**Importance**: 9/10
**Sources**: OSINT
**Permalink**: https://hamerintel.com/data/articles/22362.md
**Source**: https://hamerintel.com/summaries

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**Deck**: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says its air defenses shot down U.S. drones near Bandar Khamir and claims three oil tankers exploded after striking naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, while also releasing footage of underground anti‑ship missile tunnels and warning Washington that any new clash would bring a wider response.

Iran is highlighting military activity around the Strait of Hormuz, pairing claims of shooting down U.S. drones with reports of oil tankers hit by naval mines and publicizing underground missile sites.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its air‑defense units brought down two U.S. LUCAS drones over Bandar Khamir in Hormozgan province. The Guards described the action as being carried out by Imam Sajjad Air Defense units integrated into Iran’s air‑defense network.

Separately, an open‑source weapons specialist reported that an MQ‑9 Reaper drone was shot down over the Strait of Hormuz, likely using a Misagh‑358/359 short‑range loitering surface‑to‑air missile. There is no confirmation from U.S. authorities in the available material.

The IRGC Navy said three oil tankers exploded after hitting naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the IRGC, the tankers had switched off their navigation and identification systems before the incident. No independent confirmation of these explosions, or details on the tankers’ ownership or cargoes, is provided in the reporting.

Alongside these claims, the IRGC released footage of the Supreme Leader’s representative to the Guards inspecting naval missile tunnels in southern Iran. The tunnels house anti‑ship missiles and fast attack boats, underscoring Iran’s focus on systems designed to operate in coastal and confined waters.

An Iranian military spokesperson warned the United States that if it attacks again, it will face an “immediate, harsh, and extensive response,” and said any war would not remain limited to the Middle East.

These statements and images present a picture of Iran asserting its ability to engage U.S. military assets near its coast and to threaten shipping in a key waterway. The reporting also notes increased Iranian military activity near the border with Azerbaijan and continuing sharp rhetoric toward Washington, adding to regional tension.

The next significant signals will be any confirmation or denial from the United States about drone losses, independent evidence about the reported tanker explosions, and any visible changes in military posture around the Strait of Hormuz by Iran or other states operating there.