Tehran, May 31: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran announced on Sunday that it has successfully shot down a US MQ-1 drone. This information was reported by the Islamic Republic News Agency.
According to reports, the drone allegedly entered Iranian territorial waters. The IRGC stated that the drone was quickly detected and brought down using air defense missiles.
Earlier, on Tuesday, the IRGC asserted that it reserves the “legitimate and definitive” right to respond if the US violates the ceasefire. The IRGC also claimed that its air defense units had previously downed a US MQ-9 drone.
Local media reports indicate that the IRGC also fired upon a fighter jet that allegedly intruded into Iranian airspace. This incident comes at a time when the US has stated that it has conducted new “self-defense strikes” against Iran.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the US military targeted missile launch sites and boats attempting to lay mines in southern Iran on Monday.
CENTCOM spokesperson Tim Hawkins stated that US forces acted in self-defense to protect their troops from threats posed by Iranian forces. He mentioned, “The targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to lay mines at sea. The US Central Command continues to ensure the safety of its troops while exercising restraint during the ceasefire.”
On Thursday, the US military also conducted nighttime strikes in Iran, targeting a military base that Washington identified as a threat to American soldiers and commercial vessels operating in the region.
A US official described these strikes as defensive actions and stated that the ceasefire between the US and Iran is still considered intact.
Meanwhile, according to Iran’s Fars news agency, three explosions were heard early Thursday morning around 1:30 AM local time (22:00 GMT Wednesday) in the eastern part of the port city of Bandar Abbas, located near the Strait of Hormuz.
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