Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, May 31: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that its air defence forces shot down a US MQ-1 Predator drone after it allegedly entered Iranian territorial waters on a mission described as hostile, according to reports carried by Iranian state media.
In a statement released on Sunday, the IRGC said the unmanned aircraft was detected shortly after crossing into Iranian-controlled airspace and was destroyed by advanced air defence missile systems before it could carry out any operation. Iranian authorities asserted that the country’s airspace and territorial waters remain under constant surveillance and warned that any future violations would face a firm response.
The latest claim comes amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington despite the existence of a fragile ceasefire that has faced repeated challenges in recent weeks. Earlier this week, the IRGC stated that it reserved the right to respond to what it described as violations of the ceasefire by the United States and also claimed responsibility for downing a US MQ-9 Reaper drone. Iranian media additionally reported that air defence units had engaged a fighter aircraft that allegedly entered Iranian airspace.
The developments followed a series of US military operations in southern Iran. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces conducted what it described as “self-defence strikes” targeting missile launch sites and vessels suspected of preparing to deploy naval mines in the region. US officials said the actions were intended to protect American troops and commercial shipping routes while maintaining restraint during the ongoing ceasefire.
Reports from US media outlets also indicated that Washington carried out additional overnight strikes earlier in the week against a military facility near Bandar Abbas that was assessed as posing a threat to US personnel and maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. American officials characterised those operations as defensive measures rather than a return to broader military confrontation.
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported hearing multiple explosions east of Bandar Abbas near the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, further intensifying concerns over regional stability and maritime security.
The broader dispute continues to revolve around Iran’s nuclear programme and regional military activities. Washington has repeatedly argued that Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and military posture pose a threat to regional and international security, while Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes. The latest military exchanges have added fresh uncertainty to diplomatic efforts aimed at preserving the ceasefire and preventing a wider conflict in the Gulf region.