Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed it shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone after detecting what it described as 'hostile aircraft' violating Iranian airspace, according to reports from Al-Jazeera citing a statement carried by Iranian state media. The IRGC also stated that its forces fired at an RQ-4 drone and an 'intruding' F-35 fighter jet, though it did not specify when these incidents occurred. These claims come at a time when Washington and Tehran are engaged in discussions aimed at easing tensions and potentially reaching a broader agreement linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
US Central Command spokesperson Tim Hawkins told Fox News that American forces conducted 'self-defence' strikes to protect troops from threats posed by Iranian forces. As reported by Al-Jazeera, these defensive strikes were specifically targeted at missile launch sites in southern Iran. The US military action has escalated tensions between the two nations, with no immediate confirmation or response from US officials regarding Iran's claims about the drones and fighter jet incidents.
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei released a statement claiming that Middle East powers will no longer be 'a shield' for US military bases, and the US will no longer have a 'safe haven' in the region. He claimed victories for the 'axis of resistance', including Lebanon, stating that Iranian proxy forces have taught a lesson to the Americans and the 'Zionist entity'. Khamenei also called on Islamic nations and other countries to share common interests, according to NDTV reports.
The developments add fresh uncertainty to the already fragile diplomatic efforts between the two countries, as negotiations continue over ceasefire arrangements and regional stability. In its statement, the Guard warned that Iran reserves the 'legitimate and definite' right to respond to any ceasefire violations by the United States, according to Al-Jazeera. This warning comes amid the ongoing military tensions and suggests Iran's readiness to respond to any further US military action in the region, even as diplomatic channels remain open for potential agreements. The latest aggression from both warring nations has threatened an already fragile ceasefire that began April 8 as the United States and Iran struggle to reach an accord to end a war that has rattled the global economy with severe disruption of energy flows.
