Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed on Tuesday it shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone in the Gulf region. The IRGC said the aircraft violated Iranian airspace before Iranian forces targeted it. The incident heightened tensions amid a fragile ceasefire between Tehran and Washington.
According to Iranian state media, the IRGC detected hostile aircraft entering Iranian airspace before taking military action. The Guards claimed they also fired at an American RQ-4 drone and an F-35 fighter jet patrolling the area. However, Iranian authorities did not provide details about the outcome of those engagements. The statement also did not specify when the alleged incident occurred.
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The IRGC warned that Iran reserved the “legitimate and definite” right to retaliate against future ceasefire violations. The warning followed recent US military operations targeting rocket-launch sites in the region. Washington described those strikes as defensive actions amid continuing regional instability and security concerns.
The reported drone incident comes during ongoing indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States. Both sides are attempting to stabilise a ceasefire after months of military escalation across the Middle East. Regional tensions increased after attacks on strategic sites and disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz affected global trade and energy markets.
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The MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle widely used by the US military for surveillance and combat missions. Developed by General Atomics, the drone can operate for more than 27 hours at high altitudes. It carries advanced intelligence systems and can also launch air-to-ground missiles during military operations.