Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed that it shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone in the Persian Gulf over an alleged violation of Iranian airspace.
According to the Revolutionary Guards, an enemy aircraft was identified after entering Iranian airspace. It was then targeted and destroyed.
The IRGC said it reserves the full and definite right to retaliate against the United States over any violation of the ceasefire.
The incident came at a time when the US military said it had carried out defensive strikes on Iran’s rocket launch sites, raising concerns over the fragile ceasefire.
The MQ-9 Reaper was reportedly targeted after Iran accused it of violating its airspace.
Before Iran’s claims, the United States said it had conducted self-defense airstrikes against various targets in southern Iran.
The strikes also targeted boats that were allegedly attempting to lay mines, as well as missile launch sites.
US Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins said US forces carried out self-defense strikes in southern Iran today to protect US personnel from threats posed by Iranian forces.
He added that US Central Command continues to defend its troops while exercising restraint during the ongoing ceasefire.
