Isfahan: Four Iranian army officers were killed early Sunday in an air defense operation against what Iran described as US-Israeli 'hostile aircraft' in Isfahan province in central Iran, according to state news agency IRNA.

According to Anadolu Agency, the army's public relations office reported that the incident occurred in the Mahyar area south of Isfahan. The officers were part of a rapid-response air defense unit deployed to the region.

The officers engaged enemy fighter jets, helicopters, armed drones, and supporting aircraft by firing at aerial targets. The statement noted that one shoulder-fired missile successfully hit a 'hostile aircraft.' However, following this engagement, the officers were targeted and killed in subsequent enemy strikes.