TEHRAN (Web Desk) – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Tuesday that it had shot down a US military drone after it allegedly entered Iranian airspace over the Gulf region, while also engaging other aircraft in what Tehran described as a broader airspace intrusion.
In a statement carried by Iranian state media and published through the Guards’ Sepah News platform, the IRGC said air defence units identified and destroyed an MQ-9 Reaper drone after US military aircraft entered Iranian airspace in the Arabian Gulf region.
The statement further claimed that Iranian forces fired at an RQ-4 drone and an “intruding” F-35 fighter jet, saying that the aircraft later withdrew. Iranian officials did not specify the exact timing of the reported incidents or provide further operational details.
Iranian state-run media outlets, including IRNA and Tasnim, carried the claims, with the IRGC asserting that the aircraft had crossed into Iranian territory before defensive measures were taken. No visual evidence or additional verification was immediately released by Iranian authorities.
The reported developments emerge amid heightened tensions in the Gulf and delicate diplomatic efforts aimed at preserving a fragile ceasefire framework in the region.
The IRGC also issued a warning in its statement, saying it reserved the right to respond to any future ceasefire violations by what it described as the “aggressor US army”, signalling continued military vigilance despite ongoing negotiations.
Earlier on Tuesday, the US and Israeli aircraft struck Iranian vessels south of Larak Island near the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. According to media reports, several Iranian nationals were killed during the incident.
Those claims, however, could not be independently verified.
Additional reports from Iranian media also pointed to explosions in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas. Details surrounding the reported blasts remained unclear.
The latest claims come during a period of diplomatic activity involving mediation efforts led by Pakistan, which have sought to contain a conflict that intensified following US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and subsequent Iranian retaliation.
A ceasefire was reported to have taken effect on April 8 and was later extended indefinitely by US President Donald Trump.
Separately, US forces were reported to have targeted missile launch sites and mine-laying vessels in southern Iran in operations described by a US military spokesman as “self-defence” strikes.
There was no immediate public response from US authorities regarding Iran’s claims that an MQ-9 drone had been downed or that additional aircraft had entered Iranian airspace.