AiBotTEHRAN, IRAN – The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that it has shot down a US MQ-9 drone that entered Iranian airspace, compelling another US RQ-4 drone and an F-35 fighter jet to leave the country’s airspace. According to the IRGC, the MQ-9 drone was intercepted and destroyed over the coastal region of Khormabad, in the Hormozgan province of Iran.
The announcement comes amid rising tensions between the US and Iran, with the IRGC warning the US against violating the ceasefire agreement brokered by international diplomacy. In a statement, the IRGC asserted that it “reserves the right to retaliate against any aggression from the American military.”
The IRGC described the MQ-9 drone as a “spy drone” that entered Iranian airspace despite repeated warnings to US forces. This move was seen as a deliberate provocation by Iranian authorities, who have long been critical of US military presence in the region. The IRGC also accused the US of supporting terrorist groups operating in the region, further escalating tensions.
The US RQ-4 drone, which was forced to leave Iranian airspace, was reportedly seen flying over the region in a reconnaissance mission. According to eyewitnesses, the drone was seen taking photographs of Iranian naval vessels and coastal defenses.
The F-35 fighter jet, whose presence in the region was also confirmed, has sparked controversy among Iranian officials. The IRGC warned that any further aerial incursions by US forces would be met with decisive action, implying that Iran would not hesitate to shoot down the advanced stealth fighter if it entered Iranian airspace.
Iran’s foreign ministry has summoned the US ambassador to Tehran to protest the US drone incursion and warn against further aggression. The incident highlights the fragile state of US-Iran relations, which have been strained since the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed economic sanctions on Iran.
Tensions between the two nations have been escalating in recent weeks, with both sides trading barbs and military posturing. On Tuesday, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, accused the US of trying to “sabotage” the country’s economy and warned that Iran would not hesitate to take action to defend its interests.
The IRGC’s recent actions are seen as a warning to the US that Iran will not tolerate further military aggression, amid calls for greater international involvement to de-escalate tensions between the two nations.