Iran's Shahed Drones Used in Middle East Strikes; US Develops Similar Low-Cost Drones

Iran's Shahed drones, combining features of drones and cruise missiles with a range up to 2,500 km, have been used to strike targets including Dubai, causing explosions and psychological impact due to their low detectability and engine noise. These low-cost drones, costing between $20,000 and $50,000, have been deployed by Iran and allied groups across the Middle East. In response, the US has reverse-engineered the Shahed-136 to develop its own low-cost kamikaze drones, aiming to counter Iran's cost-effective drone strategy amid ongoing regional tensions.