Iranian naval forces say they intercepted and destroyed an American MQ-9 drone in Iranian airspace over Asaluyeh.
3:56 AM
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced Friday that it destroyed a U.S. MQ-9 drone over the Asaluyeh region in Iranian airspace.
According to a statement from the Guard Corps' public relations office, the advanced MQ-9 drone was identified and shot down using a new air defense system operated by the naval forces. The statement said the drone was destroyed in Iranian airspace over Asaluyeh and that the operation was conducted under the integrated air defense network of the country.
The Guard Corps characterized the operation as successful and stated it demonstrated the capability and full control of Iran's air defense in protecting the country's airspace against any intrusion or attack.
The MQ-9 is a long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft used by the U.S. military for surveillance and strike operations. The Asaluyeh region is located in Bushehr Province in southwestern Iran along the Persian Gulf coast.
The US conducted strikes on Iranian military sites over the weekend in response to a downed drone. Iran then targeted a US base in Kuwait with ballistic missiles, which were intercepted.
A Romanian F-16 shot down a Ukrainian drone over Estonian airspace Tuesday. Ukraine blamed Russian electronic warfare for the deviation.
President Trump accused Iran of downing a U.S. military helicopter during patrol operations. Both pilots were rescued safely and remain uninjured.
Russian air defenses destroyed 101 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow on May 7-8, while separate strikes hit a military base near Grozny.
A drone hit a residential building on Mosfilmovskaya Street in western Moscow early May 4, damaging the 36th floor. No casualties reported.
US Central Command began retaliatory strikes at 5 p.m. ET Tuesday after Iran shot down an American Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. Both pilots were rescued safely.
