After the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed responsibility for last night’s attacks and explosions in Iran’s Bandar Abbas, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had shot down an American drone and fired at another drone and a US fighter jet.
In a statement, the IRGC said that its air defense forces had downed an American MQ-9 drone and had also fired at an F-35 fighter jet and an RQ-4 drone.
The statement added that following the attack, the American fighter jet and drone were forced to leave Iranian airspace.
The IRGC stated: “The US military, continuing its interventionist adventures in the region and aggressive behavior, entered Iranian airspace in the Persian Gulf region. The IRGC’s air defense units, in defense of the country’s territorial integrity and after precise intelligence monitoring, identified and shot down an MQ-9 drone.”
The statement further said that Iranian air defense forces “fired at an RQ-4 drone and an F-35 fighter jet, forcing them to flee and exit Iran’s territorial airspace.”
The IRGC also warned that Iran reserves the legitimate right to respond to any violation of the ceasefire.
Earlier today, Tuesday, May 26, the United States Central Command announced that American forces had targeted several missile sites and IRGC-affiliated boats in southern Iran.
Timothy Hawkins, a CENTCOM spokesperson, said in a statement posted on the social platform X that the strikes were carried out in “self-defense.” He added that the targets included “missile launch sites and Iranian fast boats” which, according to him, were attempting to lay mines.
These developments come as Iran and the United States are reportedly on the verge of an important agreement aimed at establishing peace following the recent war — a conflict that has affected much of the region and had consequences for the global economy as well.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
