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Iran Claims Downed US Drone Over Bandar Abbas
· Confirmed
In Short: Iran's army said its air defenses shot down a US drone over Bandar Abbas, but the US Central Command denied the claim.
Iran's army claimed on Monday that its air defenses shot down a US drone over the southern city of Bandar Abbas, according to the semi-official Mehr News Agency.
The army said the interception occurred while air defense units were responding to “enemy attacks and securing the country's airspace.” Mehr cited an army statement, saying air defense forces in southeastern Iran identified, intercepted, and destroyed “a hostile Lucas-type” aircraft over the skies of Bandar Abbas County near Hajiabad.
CENTCOM, however, publicly rejected Iran’s claim, stating, “Commercial ships are continuing to transit in and out of the Strait of Hormuz tonight” despite the fresh hostilities.
Iranian media, citing senior officials, also said President Donald Trump’s claim that he had directly spoken by phone with senior Iranian officials was false and that there had been no such communication between the two sides.
The IRGC also said it had closed the Strait of Hormuz to “all vessels,” including oil tankers and commercial ships, but CENTCOM disputed that claim and said commercial traffic was continuing through the waterway.
Iran’s army told Tasnim that its Air Defense Force destroyed an American drone above Bandar Abbas, and that the engagement ran through the national integrated air defense network.
The cost of one unit is approximately 35,000 US dollars, and this specific news has been automatically translated by AI.
Iran's 'Mehr News Agency', quoting the army's public relations department, stated that a Lucas drone was shot down in the Jask region on the morning of October 25.
The ministry strongly condemned US strikes carried out over the past 22 hours, describing them as a serious violation of the UN Charter.
Tehran, in turn, announced missile and drone attacks targeting US military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, while accusing Washington of violating a June 17 memorandum of understanding reached through Pakistani mediation.
What this adds
The gap between Iran's claim and the US denial defines the story.
CENTCOM's rejection of Iran's claim highlights the ongoing tensions and conflicting narratives between the two sides.
What's confirmed
- Iran's army claimed on Monday that its air defences shot down a US drone over the southern city of Bandar Abbas, according to the semi-official Mehr News Agency.
- I ran’s army said Sunday it shot down a U.S. LUCAS ( Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System) one-way attack (OWA) drone over the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reportedly has Iran strike plans ready pending White House approval after the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
- The claimed downing came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said management of the Strait of Hormuz "will not be as before" and called for foreign forces to leave the region.
- On the other hand, Iran's 'Mehr News Agency', quoting the army's public relations department, stated that a Lucas drone was shot down in the Jask region on the morning of October 25.
- Iranian forces claimed to have shot down a US 'Lucas' drone in the skies over its southern port city of Bandar Abbas.
- 'Defa News Agency', affiliated with the Iranian army, also claimed that a drone was targeted in the skies over Bandar Abbas.
What's still developing
- After US President Donald Trump claimed that 49 Tomahawk missiles were used to strike targets deep inside Iranian territory, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) released a video showing the cruise missiles being launched under the cover of darkness.
- The latest exchange brought together fresh US strikes inside Iran, Iran’s claim of retaliatory attacks on American bases in the region, a contested announcement on the Strait of Hormuz, and conflicting statements from Washington and Tehran over both military action and possible contact between their officials. - Ends Published By: Sayan Ganguly Published On: Jun 11, 2026 07:57 IST Ram Charan to play Lord Krishna in Telugu remake of Gujarati sleeper hit Laalo? | Mahesh Babu's son Gautam gives Toxic 0.5 rating online, sparks debate | US using 3 missiles on every Iranian rocket.
- Describing the operation as "additional self-defence strikes", CENTCOM said in a post on X, "The strikes are in response to Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression." Local media reports said the latest strikes hit western Tehran, Fars province, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Kish, Minab and parts of central Isfahan.
- Iranian officials challenged parts of the US account.
- “Do you really think I’m going to tell you if I’m going to do it?” he added.
- “That’s the only reason I’m doing it.” The president also claimed that oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz had increased compared with before the war began, without providing figures during his remarks.
- “I may have to finish it off, or maybe they’ll make a deal,” Trump said.
- That gap between claim and confirmation defines the story.
- As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
- It accused Washington of violating nearly every provision of the Memorandum of Understanding signed 25 days ago and of committing "war crimes" by targeting transport infrastructure, fishing boats, cargo vessels and meteorological facilities.
- It said neighbouring states were obligated under international law to prevent their territory from being used for military action against Iran, warning that the "origin and launch point" of any attack would be targeted by the Iranian armed forces.
- "They’ve increasingly come to understand that they have leverage, they have the upper hand, and they want to drive that advantage to try and get concessions from Trump."